DARWAR DISTRICT. 193 



nullahs. During this dreary period (in anticipation of 

 which a stock of provisions is always laid in), the inhabit- 

 ants sit round a fire in the centre of their miserable dwell- 

 ings, which are constantly filled with smoke. When they 

 do venture out they wrap themselves in a cunih,* and over 

 this place « a sort of thatched case or shell, made of the 

 leaves of the jar,i or some other of the pabi tribe. It is 

 broad over the whole back and shoulders, narrowing to a 

 peak immediately over the head, and coming down the front 

 over the face just as far as is necessary to give it a firm 

 hold, with a slope sufficient to carry the water that falls on 

 It clear ot the body." In the eastern parts it is very differ- 

 ent. The ram is seldom so severe as to prevent the inhab- 

 itants from going out for four-and-twenty hours at one 

 time ; and precautions against heat, not against cold, are 

 necessary. The villages in the western parts consist of 

 thatched huts, whose steep sloping roofs nearly reach the 

 ground, the walls being only a few feet high, that they may 

 be effectually protected from the rain. Everv spot is covered 

 with vegetation. Hedges and trees covered with twining 

 plants, line the roads, and the thatched roofs are often con- 

 cealed by creepers, generally cucumbers, pumpkins, &c. 

 1 he villages in the eastern parts present a curious contrast 

 to the above. Generally not a spot of green, for many 

 months, relieves the horrid glare. All is parched and browii. 

 IMo protection being required against heavy rain, the houses 

 are built entirely of clay, which one heavy shower, such as 

 the western inhabitants constantly experience, would com- 

 pletely level to the ground. The walls of the houses are 

 formed of sun-baked clay, and are from eight to ten feet 

 high. Lpon these is supported a terrace-roof composed of 

 branches of trees or bamboos, and covered with clay. No- 

 thing can be conceived more ugly than these villa<Tes. On 

 every side square masses of drv clay give one more the 

 Idea of huge ant-hills than of human habitations. In these 

 places, wood bemg found in too small quantity to serve as 

 tuel, cow-dung is used for this purpose, which, bein^ made 

 into small cakes, is thus plastered on the walls of the houses 

 to dry m the sun. When ready, it is collected into piles 

 like peat-stacks m a Scotch villaae. 



* A native blanket. t Borassus fiabelliformis. 



VOL. ill. — R 



