636 REPORT—1904. 
4, Vegetation of the Fen District. By Professor R, H. Yapp, WA. 
This paper, which was illustrated by lantern-views of the characteristic vegeta- 
tion of the Fen District, described in turn the principal plant associations repre- 
sented, pointing out the importance of the aquatic or semi-aquatic forms, and 
briefly describing the life-conditions of each. 
5. Notes on the Malabar Coast of India. By R. 8. Luppsr, I.A4., LL.M. 
The country dealt with extends along the West Coast of India from about 
16° to 8° N., and inland to the watershed of the Western Ghats, a breadth of 
from thirty to sixty miles. The coast is so exposed that marine navigation is 
practically suspended during the early months of the 8.W. monsoon, but a 
remarkable system of rivers, lagoons, and canals, stretching throughout Travancore, 
Cochin, and the Malabar district for about 200 miles, facilitates communication. 
There are practically no harbours except in the north, the old ports having long 
ago been closed by the silting up of their rivers and the formation of bars by the 
surf. The governing features are the Western Ghats and the 8. W. monsoon, 
which precipitates a deluge of rain during the summer months. These mountains 
rise precipitously from the hilly and thickly wooded country below, and are 
covered with primeval forest of great value. The climate is very moist, and the 
range of temperature very slight. Rivers are many, but short and shallow, 
navigable only in dug-out canoes and at certain seasons of the year. Towards 
the sea they expand into broad lakes or winding lagoons, caused in the south by 
the formation of sand-dunes. Towards the north, where the mountains are closer 
to the sea, there are often fine waterfalls, including the stupendous Gersoppa Falls, 
near Honawar, with a sheer drop of 800 feet. 
The mineral wealth has been but slightly exploited, but the vegetable products 
are of the greatest importance. The mountains grow tea, cinchona, coffee, and 
cardamoms; the forest slopes fibres, pepper, nutmegs, cloves, &c.; the plains 
tapioca, palms of all sorta, plantains, and rice. Rubber is being introduced with 
good hopes of success. ‘he forests provide an immense amount of valuable timber, 
such as teak, blackwood, ebony, sandal, and bamboo. They abound in big game: 
elephant, tiger, bison, deer, &c. The red laterite soil, rich vegetation, and green 
rice fields, mountain and river views, make the scenery wonderfully beautiful. 
Ethnologically the country is very interesting but very puzzling. The popula- 
tion is essentially Dravidian, but has been considerably modified by Aryan 
(Brahman) settlers, through the prevalence of the matriarchal family system. In 
the mountain and forest parts many odd and isolated racial fragments are found, 
belonging to all stages of civilisation, and suggesting that here is to be found the 
ethnical substratum of South Asia. Dress, arrangement of hair, architecture, and 
family system are all quite distinct from those oi the East. Religious systems 
vary, from tree, snake, and devil worship, and other primitive faiths, up through 
Saivite Hinduism to philosophic theism. Caste still exercises a potent influence. 
The modern use of the term obscures the fundamental identity of race and caste, 
and the perfectly natural origin of ceremonial pollution, through the connection 
between godliness and cleanliness. At first a necessary good, caste is now, 
perhaps, a necessary evil. In Malabar it is much complicated through the 
matriarchate. 
The early history of this coast is very obscure. In modern times the chief 
events have been the founding of the State of Travancore by King Marthanda 
Varma, the rule of Hyder and Tippu in Mysore, and the overthrow of the latter 
by the British, followed by gradual pacification and progress. Serfdom still lingers, 
though no longer enforceable by law. 
The chief towns are along the coast, usually near the mouths of rivers, which 
are the chief means of communication. The Malayali style of architecture, with 
concave roof-ridges and carved wooden gables, is quite distinct from any other 
style in India, and is probably due to the use of bamboo and teak for building, 
