Aboriginal Tribes of India. 337 



every shape to avert danger ; hence all beasts of prey, such 

 as tigers, bears, and leopards, venomous serpents and other 

 reptiles ; as also the elephant and the rhinoceros In a wild 

 state. 



Their domestic habits and institutions have a strong affi- 

 nity to those of the great Tartar family ; they may serve as 

 a specimen of the whole race. They employ whipping as a 

 remedy for tertian fever and ague, as practised among the 

 Turkish hordes in Persia ; and it is also adopted as a remedy 

 for violent insanity, for they consider persons so afflicted to be 

 possessed of an evil spirit, whom they thus endeavour to expel. 

 I In some parts bqth men and women bore their ears, and 

 wear heavy rings to extend the lower lobe. Unlike the 

 Hindu women, they wear no bodice to support the breasts, 

 instead of which, in many cases, they gracefully throw the 

 end of a muslin cloth, ten or twelve yards long, as it comes 

 from the loom, round the body, and which is tastefully 

 arranged so as to cover the person. Their weapons are the 

 sword, the bow and arrow, the javelin, and almost univer- 

 sally a bill-hook, which is worn in a belt over the right hip. 



The virtues of this race consist in dauntless courage, fide- 

 lity and loyalty to their superiors and chiefs, and probity 

 towards those with whom they may have entered into engage- 

 ments. They have great regard to truth, and exercise hospi- 

 tality, and are generous in their dealings with each other, as 

 well as with strangers. 



In E-ajputana, such is the consideration they obtain from 

 the Hindu princes, that the latter submit to the form of being 

 placed on the throne by an aboriginal chieftain, from whom 

 each receives on his succession a recognition of his sovereignty 

 by the impression of a spot of blood fresh drawn from the 

 foot of one of the ancient race. 



This act ensures devotion and loyalty ; these are never 

 withheld unless in case of some acts of wanton oppression on 

 the part of the sovereign, which calls forth resistance and 

 open war. Such are the virtues of the aboriginal tribes. 



Among their vices may be reckoned drunkenness on all 

 occasions of domestic or national festivity. Those who dwell 

 in the forests and mountains chiefly subsist (where they can 



