_A finger_, Ramo Langan, Jari, Jaring. In this specimen of the languages of places so near to each other, the names of different parts of the body are chosen, because they are easily obtained from people whose language is utterly unknown, and because they are more likely to be part of the original stamen of the language, than any other, as types of the first objects to which they would give names. It is very remarkable that the Malay, the Javanese, and the Prince’s Island language, have words, which, if not exactly similar to the corresponding words in the language of the islands in the South Seas, are manifestly derived from the same source, as will appear from the following table: English. _South Sea._ _Malay._ _Javanese._ _Prince’s Isl._ _An eye_, Matta, Mata, Moto, Mata. _To eat_, Maa, Macan, Mangan. _To drink_, Einu, Menum, Gnumbe. _To kill_, Matte, Matte, Matte. _A louse_, Outou, Coutou. _Rain_, Euwa, Udian, Udan. _Bamboo cane_, Owhe, Awe. _A breast_, Eu, Sousou, Sousou. _A bird_, Mannu, Mannu, Mannuck. _A fish_, Eyca, Ican, Iwa. _The foot_, Tapao, Tapaan. _A lobster_, Tooura, Udang, Urang. _Yams_, Eufwhe, Ubi, Urve. _To bury_, Etannou, Tannam, Tandour. _A moschito_, Enammou, Gnammuck. _To scratch_, Hearu, Garru, Garu. _Coccos roots_, Taro, Tallas, Talas. _In-land_, Uta, Utan. This similitude is particularly remarkable in the words expressing number, which, at first sight, seems to be no inconsiderable proof that the science at least of these different people has a common root. But the names of numbers in the island of Madagascar, are, in some instances, similar to all these, which is a problem still more difficult to solve. That the names of numbers, in particular, are in a manner common to all these countries, will appear from the following comparative table, which Mr. Banks drew up, with the assistance of a negro slave, born at Madagascar, who was on board an English ship at Batavia, and sent to him to gratify his curiosity on this subject. English. _S. Sea _Malay._ _Javanese._ _Prince’s _Madagas._ Islands._ Isl._ _One_, Tahie, Satou, Sigi, Hegie, Isse. _Two_, Rua, Dua, Lorou, Dua, Rua. _Three_, Torou, Tiga, Tullu, Tollu, Tellou. _Four_, Haa, Ampat, Pappat, Opat, Effats.