vi INTRODUCTION. 



known regions and races which are 

 scattered up and down the far-extend- 

 ing dominion committed to English 

 keeping. At present such narratives 

 are rarely to be met with, though a 

 few good specimens have recently ap- 

 peared. 



Only in this way can a true concep- 

 tion be given of the many varied aspects 

 of life and nature to be found in the 

 hill and forest tracts of India ; her 

 city populations and agricultural com- 

 munities are better known, though 

 much that is interesting remains untold, 

 owing to the fatal barrier of caste, 

 which shuts off the European from 

 intimate acquaintance with Hindoo life. 



My experience of Canara extended 



