816 REPORT 1891. 



No traditions are apparently extant regarding the origin of the art, but a 

 superstitious belief is entertained that an earthquake or suddeH death would result 

 from any rash endeavour to introduce the industry into any other island of the 

 Archipelago, and a case is cited which to the Nicobarese mind is sufficiently 

 confirmatory of the danger of attempting to act in contravention of the customs of 

 their ancestors. 



The inhabitants of the island appear to guard somewhat jealously this their art, 

 and natives from the other islands, who accompanied Mr. Man when he was so 

 fortunate as to find the manufacturers at their trade, had never before been 

 permitted to witness the process now described in its various stages. 



The value of ' trade-marks ' is recognised, and before a vessel is fired the device 

 of its maker is affixed ; to their credit, be it noted, care is taken that the ' rights ' 

 of other makers are not infringed by the adoption of any symbol which might 

 lead to confusion. 



The amount of pottery manufactured during the year cannot of course be 

 ascertained with any degree of accuracy, but it would seem to be considerable. 

 Experience having taught them that pots are more serviceable if allowed to harden 

 gradually, it is their practice to store all newly-made utensils on a lattice-platform 

 ( lenpd) in the roof of their huts, where in the course of a year the combined action 

 of heat and smoke renders them hard and durable. 



Indian pots and jars are readily purchased from the traders who visit the 

 islands from time to time, and these, though preferred to the home-made article 

 on account of their greater durability, are deemed unsuitable for certain of their 

 culinary operations. There is also a latent fear lest the local manufacturers — to 

 say nothing of the Higher Powers — should actively resent any exclusive use of 

 imported utensils. 



No vessels are made specially by the Nicobarese for funeral purposes, but in 

 accordance with the almost universal custom of uncivilised i-aces coolring pots are 

 among the personal and household requisites which are laid on a grave after an 

 interment. 



Mr. Man illustrated his paper with two photographs, showing a group of 

 Nicobarese potters engaged upon their craft; he further expressly denied that they 

 had the knowledge of any implement answering the purpose of a ' potter's-wheel.' 



7. Report of the Anthropometric Laboratory Committee. 

 See Reports, p. 405. 



8. Report of the ' Anthropological Notes and Queries ' Committee. 

 See Reports, p. 404. 



9. Report of the Indian Committee. 

 [The Committee were unable to present a Report this year.] 



