228 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XV, 
“dependent tribes in Goomsur form a slightly confederated 
“group, and are connected with the Zamindary by an alliance 
‘“ the general nature of which (virtually the same as that bet- 
‘““ween the corresponding parties in Boad) has just been indi- 
“ cated.” 
several branches which are in like manner ruled by their 
“family Heads; and finally these sub-divisions are composed 
“of a number of villages each of which is governed by the 
“or Abbaya of a Khond tribe... .is in no respect raised above 
“the community. He has no separate residence or stronghold, 
“no retainers, no property save his ancestral fields by the cul- 
“tivation of which he lives..He transacts no affairs without 
“ the assistance and sanction of the Abbayas or of the assembled 
“society. He leads in war.... At home he is the protector 
‘of public order and the arbiter of private wrongs.... He 
‘‘ moreover discharges the local duties of Patriarch of his family 
“ subdivision and head of his village.’’ 
“The position of the Patriarch or Abbaya of a branch of a 
“tribe is, with reference to his limited jurisdiction, exactly 
‘analogous to that of the Patriarch of a tribe. Aided by the 
‘Heads of villages whom he consults and co-operating with 
“the Chief Patriarch of whose councils he is a member, he 
“Governments which these have acknowledged. To these 
*Zemindaries they have been attached, individually and in 
“loosely adherent groups as independent but subordinate 
“allies.” (Part VII, Section I, para.4). Asa great part of Lieut. 
Macpherson’s Report is directed to devising measures for the 
suppression of the wide-spread practice of human sacrifice it 
will not be denied that the condition of the Khonds which he 
