When a bear finds a nest of any kind of ants, but especially white ants, he demolishes the whole burrow: licking up all the clusters he can get at; and lying with his tongue out, to entice the prey into his mouth; by this means he often obtains an ample meal; for a bushel of them may frequently be found in the same nest. The white ant is about the size of a small grain of rice; has a white body, appearing like a maggot, and a very strong red head, armed with powerful forceps; it has four short legs. They are an article of food among some of the low castes in Mysore and the Carnatic.

In the king of Travencore's dominions are some useful public works, but nothing comparable to those in the northern parts of Hindostan : among other beneficial undertakings of former sovereigns are rows of chashew-apple trees on each side of the principal public roads, extending for many miles: these trees are shady, and beautiful in foliage, blossoms, and fruit. Formerly the road from Lahore to Agra, a distance of near five hundred miles, was in the same manner shaded by large trees: and where there was a deficiency of wells, persons were placed in small arbours at convenient distances, to supply water gratis, to the traveller.

Gold dust is said to be sometimes found in the Nelambur river and other mountainous torrents of Malabar; iron is certainly produced in many places, where they have erected forges for smelting it; these are capable of much improvement.

Salt-pans, or rather salt-fields, are formed in Travencore, as in most other parts of the Malabar coast: they are large reservoirs enclosed by mounds of earth, into which the sea flows at high tides; from whence

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by a simple process, the water is conveyed into a range of small inclosures, where in the course of the day the fluid is evaporated and the salt gathered in the evening. These reservoirs are most productive in the hot months preceding the rainy season; and from every part of the coast, salt forms the chief article of inland commerce.

These salt-pans being generally near populous towns and villages, the men employed there are not more exposed to tigers and beasts of prey, than those occupied in the usual pursuits of husbandry: not so the Molungies, or salt-boilers, in the Sunderbunds, or wild regions of Bengal; who, of all the castes and tribes throughout the whole extent of Hindostan, seem to have the hardest fate. I would rather be a Pariah or Chandala, subject to their most ignominious treatment and cruel oppression, than one of these unfortunate Molungies, living in constant terror from the fiercest tigers, without any means of safety or redress. Their situation had often been represented to me by gentlemen from Bengal, and as often excited my commiseration; but I had no idea of their complete misery until I read the account of the Sunderbunds by Captain Williamson; where he says, "the royal tigers are often seen swimming across the various rivers which form the innumerable islands inhabited only by wild beasts, and presenting an immense barrier all along the sea-coast, from Saugar island to the great mouth of the Megna. Of this propensity in tigers the Molungies are so thoroughly aware, that, while performing their duties on the long spits of sand which project into the sea from the impenetrable jungles that skirt the soil, a look-out is always kept

for tigers on the opposite banks of the rivers; and as soon as any appear, the whole take to flight, and conceal themselves in caves excavated for the purpose; from which, it however sometimes happens, the hungry animal removes every obstacle with his claws, and drags out one or more of the inhabitants, already half dead with terror.

"The reader will naturally inquire, why some means are not adopted for opposing devastations of this nature, and securing the Molungies from such a dreadful misfortune? The fact is, that no one is a Molungie from choice; but, according to the principle prevailing throughout Hindostan, the occupation of the father and his ancestors is continued invariably by his posterity. The Molungies would, however, readily deviate from this principle if they had the power to do so; but, being kept to their posts by various guards of revenue peons, or officers, they are unable to quit their miserable situations. These revenue officers are, in addition to some provincial militia, posted at all the places whereby it is possible to escape in boats: as to making off by land,it would be utterly impossible; the surrounding country being an immense wilderness, full of tigers, abounding in snakes, aud intersected by a labyrinth of rapid waters, replete with alligators and other reptiles. This unfortunate race of human beings sometimes obtain an addition to their number when trespassers attempt to ascape from the pursuit of justice, and to wind through the mazes of the inland navigation. These are handed over to the salt-pans, whence not one in a million ever returns. To arm persons of such a description, would be to afford them an immediate emancipation; and would subvert that establishment which supplies Ben

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gal with salt, and affords to the government a revenue not much under a million of money annually! No doubt but time will furnish the means of substituting some less objectionable means of providing so indispensable an article of consumption, and do away what must till then, be classed among the many necessary evils with which humanity is burthened!"

The climate of Anjengo not agreeing with my constitution, and the situation I held affording no emolument equivalent to the sacrifice of my friends and a delightful society at Bombay, at the expiration of the year I obtained permission to return thither, and wait for some other appointment.

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HINDOO TRIBES.

CHAPTER XIII.

Brahmins of Malabar-Sacred Rivers of India-Veneration for the Cow-Public Charities-Similarity of the Malabars and Northern Hindoos-Extraordinary Purification of the King of Travencore passing through a Golden Cow-The same Ceremony by Ragonath Row-Sevajee weighed against Gold— Adventure in Quilone Forest-Civilization of the MalabarsPhysical Effects of the Torrid Zone-Conduct of a Marawar Heroine-Dominions of the King of Travencore-NairsManners and Customs-Namburis-Tivees-Tetees-Moplah Women-Cruelty of the Queen of Attinga-Writing on OlasMalabar Christians-Cheap purchase of Children-Houses of the Malabars-Implements of Agriculture-Tribe of PooleahsPariars-Hindoos and Egyptians-Tribes mentioned by Herodotus; their Manners and Customs illustrated by those of the Malabars-Paramhansa-Hindoo Anthropophagi-Moplahs, Mahomedan Malabars-Massacre of the English at AttingaInteresting Particulars of the St. Thome, or Syrian Christians.

In describing the Hindoos, the aborigines of Hindostan, I divided them into four principal tribes, the Brahmin, Chuttree, Byse, and Sooder; subdivided into a number of smaller castes: the Malabars in this distinguishing characteristic, and many other essentials, resemble the northern Hindoos: as a nation, their four grand divisions are the Brahmins, Nairs, Tivees, and Pooleahs.

The Malabar Brahmins, like those in other parts of India, form two distinct classes, engaged in different