OP THE NtLAQIRI DISTRICT. xlix 



inhabitants, wlio have also a peculiar idiom of tlicix' own, but converse 

 mostly in the Cannady language, not only cultivate the land, but serve 

 as artificers in the capacity of tho gold, silver, and brass smiths, 

 carpenter, blacksmith, potter and wicker wox'ker, also dresser of hides 

 and skins. Independently of these there are the Irclurs, whose number 

 is not very large and who blend the Malabar with the Cannady language. 

 They inhabit and cultivate the deep valleys on the sides of the moun- 

 tains (dependant to the low-lands), and, unlike the inhabitants on the 

 height of tho hills, are induced to undergo the arduous labor of 

 preparing their fields with a small instrument resembling the hand 

 hoe, on account of tho steep and stony nature of the soil, which 

 however is extremely fertile. These arc likewise expert in bringing 

 down the large honey-combs or bee-hives that are abundant about 

 the rocks and precipices, as also in felling large trees and conveying 

 the timber down to tho plains. 



The whole of the inhabitants are very unclean in their persons and 

 dress, as they have no barbers or washers among them, and more so, 

 as they imagine it an abomination to the deity Neelagharvy Runga- 

 sawmy, presiding over these mountains, either to have their clothes 

 washed, or their faces shaved by a barber, but the latter they efFcct 

 among themselves ; nor do they wear anything for the protection of 

 their feet, probably on the same account. In short they have altogether 

 an uncommonly rude appearance, more especially the Thothavurs, who 

 hold it as a sacred and inviolable custom never to keep their heads 

 covered, whether under the scorching heat of the sun or heavy showers 

 of rain or frost ; and custom even forbids them to shave at all, where- 

 fore they suffer the hair of their heads to grow, only cutting it from 

 time to time, so as not to remain too long. 



4 The surface of the country is very unequal and wavy, and Nature of the 

 , , .^, . surface. 



abounds with springs. 



5. There arc only two small forts, one called Oolicul Guggenchoky Forts and 



other 

 buildings. 



doorga, upon a high hill on the south, and the other Mullayacota, upon other 



a gentle eminence on the north ; they arc built in the simple manner 

 that fortifications are generally seen about this country, consisting of 

 a common mud wall faced with rock stones and surrounded by a 

 ditch, and it is evident that they had been constructed in order to 

 check the restless disposition of the neighboring countries in former 

 times. There are no other buildings deserving notice. 



6. The Bariggy-olay or the Moyar river in the north takes its Rivers and 

 source from the stupendous heights of the Neddimullay hills, and has "^"^^^f, J^f^?^'. 

 several other streams running down into it from the Mullanaud tions. 

 pasture-lands i The Chicka-olay or Mannar river takes its rise from 

 the Mulnaud hills about Cowah and runs down southward, discharging 

 itself into the Bhavany river. Besides these, the mountains give 

 rise to numerous other nullahs, both large and small, but of these 

 may be particularly noticed the great nullah running down on the 

 north of Mullayacota, which below tho mountains is called tho 

 Sheegoor river, joining the Moyaur on the cast of Davaroyputuum, 



