Note 2 — Chapter I · THE SOCIAL ORGANISATION

If the estimate previously given2 of the former population of the islands be correct, the nine tribes (leaving aside the Aka-Bea) would have formerly contained about 3750 persons of all ages. At the present time the four tribes of the North Andaman number altogether about 400, of whom about 100 or less are children. The other six tribes taken together (including the almost extinct Aka-Bea) number about 200, of whom not more than 30 are children. Mr Man estimated the numbers of the Aka-Bea tribe (called by him Boǰig-ŋiǰi-da) in 1882 at about 400, and supposes them to have numbered about 1000 in 1858. In 1901 that tribe consisted of only 37 persons.