Ixxviii ArrENDix to the manual 



cottages arc sitnatcd on the exterior slope ami valleys, the sides of 

 which they cultivate with a variety of dry grain, also plantain, jack 

 and other fruits, which arc seen in groves in the bosom oP low valleys ; 

 they have scarcely any communication with the people of the hills, 

 but often come down to the plains to dispose or barter plantains 

 and other hill productions at the max-ket villages. Those occupying 

 the ridges on the east towards Denkankotai arc invariably called 

 Irrelurs ; to the south on the ridges forming the Bhavani Valley are 

 called Mudiimars ; and on the northern slopes towards Davaroypatam, 

 they go by the appellation of Cussuwars ; these also cultivate large 

 tracts on the plain surface of the table-land, and yet are all one race, 

 differing in no one instance ; their customs, manners, and occupation 

 being alike. In their marriages perhaps they arc singular. This 

 contract does not take place between the parties cohabiting till the 

 second or third child is born, when the man agrees to pay a stipulated 

 sum by instalments as a dowry to the friends of the woman, who give 

 with her as a portion a buffalo ; the contract now becomes binding. 

 In case of her demise the man must make over the whole of the 

 balance before he forms another connection ; but if she should sui'vive 

 her husband who has a brother, she must immediately become his 

 wife, and also to the next till all are extinct, so that a fruitful woman, 

 according to their customs, is always provided for. In their cemeteries 

 and burials they widely differ from the other castes, appearing to 

 venerate the manes of their dead above every other consideration. 

 The cemeteries are scattered in pleasant but lonesome situations, 

 being a neat house quite open to the east. About the middle and 

 against the inner walls of all of them are seen a heap of circular black 

 stones ; these are placed on one of the community being interred, and 

 consequently are accumulating from day to day. The males are buried 

 on one side, females on the other. The ceremonies and feasting on these 

 occasions last a month, and during this interval the earth lies very loose 

 on the corpse ; it is then softened with water and beaten down after 

 the last rites are performed. If one of the community should happen to 

 die at a distance even, his corpse is sent for and the usual rites are 

 performed, though it be in a putrid state. The deities worshipped by 

 them is Rnngasawmy and the goddess Masula or Butti'dcaly. Offer- 

 ings of sheep, &c., are made to her on certain days of ceremony. 



(Signed) B. S. WARD, Leutenant, 



Assistant, Survcyor-GeneraVs Department 



