172 Journ. of the Asiat. Soc. of Bengal. [May & June, 1915. 
not be correct to say that the caste circle and the circle of en- 
ogamy are the same. It is well known that there are many 
and in many non-Brahman castes such as Gollas and Bedas. 
The larger classes are universally regarded as comprising a 
single caste, and there is nothing to be gained by altering the 
signification of such a well-known term by making caste synony- 
mous with an endogamous group. One effect of such a change 
would be to make the work of the social reformer more difficult; 
for though an intermarriage between different castes may at 
present be taken as quite inadmissible, that between persons 
of different endogamous groups within the same caste, would 
only be regarded as, at its worst, an incorrect thing. 
The other test, of commensality, is still less a guide. 
Leaving the Brahmans apart who cannot eat with other castes, 
there are groups of castes which are allowed to dine together, 
though they cannot intermarry. Thus for example, Okkaligas 
of different castes, Kurubas, and some other of the higher non- 
Brahman castes can all dine in each other’s house. It may 
be a wise thing for reformers for a long while yet to direct 
their efforts chiefly on the fusion of such groups by introducing 
inter-marriages between sections who can publicly dine with 
each other. The only certain test appears to be birth in® 
caste as attested by general repute, though certain castes admit 
recruits from higher castes to a limited extent. The difficulty 
of applying any other test led to the common reluctance to 
have social relations with persons whose origin was unknown. 
I suppose it was the great anxiety to secure purity of 
blood, that was at the bottom of the custom of child marriag®. 
Still, the rule does not seem to have originally been so rigorolt 
as it has become in recent times. It is curious that Nambudtl 
Brahmans who are most rigid in following the old Sutras, should 
have no objection to kee men unmarried to a late age 
of any sexual weakness. You know that we have a mild law 
in Mysore intended to check unduly early child marriages; but 
quite exceptional. We may safely assume that even without 
caste, is not by any means a decisive factor. 
