WESTERN HINDOOSTAN. ,7^ 



robbers, and even will murder the traveller [unprotedled by one 

 of their caft. 



In their perfons they are well made, and of great ftrength; ' 

 Their complexion more black than olive, their hair crifp, but 

 longer than that of the Ne_^ro ; their ears enormoufly long ; 

 they think that cuftom graceful, they lengthen them by art, 

 and hang on them and their nofes numbers of baubles. They 

 at times load their arms and necks with filver bracelets and 

 chains of pearl. In time of war, on their head, they wear a moft 

 ungraceful clout hanging down, pointed on each fide, and a 

 Ihort wrapper round the waift, with a dagger lluck in a fafli ; 

 all the reft of them is naked. In one hand is a fword of vaft 

 length. Such is the figure of one given by Captain Byroriy 

 engraven by Fivares. In religion they are of the Hindoo ; in 

 marriage ftriift monogatnijls. 



Parallel to Mount D/7// and to Mahe, a fmall dominion, CoorgaNayrs. 

 called Coorga, extends bevond the Ghauts^ unfortunately into 

 the Mjfore, It confifts of mountains and vaft forefts, fiieltering 

 tigers and elephants innumerable, being one of the few places 

 in which the laft are at prefent found in a ftate of nature. The 

 late Ayder Alii in vain attempted to fubdue the brave inhabi- 

 tants. Family feud between the Rajah and his brother, enabled 

 him to effecSt his purpofe. He deftroyed one family, made 

 prifoners of the other, and polTefled himfelf of the country. 

 The prefent Rajah^ then a boy, was fon to the younger of the 

 contefting brothers. This youth was by Ayder compelled to be- 

 come a Mujfulmany with all the flitimeful ceremonies of initia- 



A a 2 tion. 



