THE PIGMIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."
Sin,—In your interesting review of Dr. Schweinfurth's work on Central Africa which appeared in the Spectator of the 4th inst., you say, " The author believes the Akka to be a branch of that series of dwarf races which, exhibiting all the characteristics of an aboriginal stock, extend along the equator, entirely across the continent of Africa, and with any section of which only Du Chaillu, except himself, has come in contact." The Journal des De'bats of the 15th inst. contains the following paragraph, taken from the L' Unita Nazionale of Naples :—" Professor Panceri, accompanied by two pigmies from Central Africa, is expected to arrive at Naples on the 15th inst. from Egypt. He considers them to be representatives of that dwarf race which Herodotus mentions, and of which nothing, since his time, has been known.
They speak a language peculiar to themselves, and only understand a few words of Arabic. A negro who is able to act as partial interpreter accompanies them."—I am, Sir, &c., E.
[This may be a mere advertisement, but it comes to us from Germany, with a good signature.—ED. Spectator.]
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