li Hi. Banerji — Identification of Aboriginal Trlhes. [Jan. 



We have no description of the houses of the modern Yakshas, but we 

 have that of the houses of a cognate tribe, the Bhutias, which shews that " in 

 the construction of their houses, they are rather in advance of their neigh- 

 bours of the plains. They are compared to small farm-houses in England 

 and to Swiss cottages, built generally of rubble-stone and clay of two, three, 

 and sometimes of four stories : all the floors are neatly boarded with deal, 

 and on two sides are well constructed verandas ornamented with carved and 

 painted woodwork. One of these is sometimes enclosed for the women, the 

 front opening by sliding panels when they wish to peep. The workman- 

 ship displays considerable skill in joining, the panelling being very good of 

 its kind." The description in Sanskrit quoted above was that of a Prasada, 

 a temple according to the commentator. Compare the above description 

 with that of a modern temple visited by the writer in 1849 : — 



" It is a square building with gable ends and a thatched projecting 

 roof under the gable, facing the north ; there is a projecting balcony in front 

 of a large bay window which lights a recess at the opposite end of the 

 temple containing three large Buddhist images, all seated in the usual 

 cross-legged attitude of absorbed contemplation. They appeared to be 

 formed of clay, and were exceedingly well executed and resplendent with 

 gilding. The apartment, about 20 feet square, is boarded, and the walls 

 are entirely covered with painting, of figures in similar penitential attitudes 

 but diiferently dressed. # # * * The colours were parti- 

 cularly brilliant and well chosen, and the drawing tolerably correct to heigh- 

 ten the effect. A priest's house also of stone and two-storied, was near the 

 temple.; and with its projecting roof and balconies was a picturesque effect." 



No. 4. 



Bhillas=Bhils or Bheels. 



The following is a description of a Bhilli or Bheel woman from the 

 Hyagriva-vadha Kavya. 



" The Bhilla damsel, clad in leaves girt with a creeper, was reclining on 

 the brow of a hill, whilst her husband was engaged in decorating her locks 

 with hill-jessamines, culled by herself."* 



This description puts one in mind of the Patua or Juanga wo- 

 men so graphically desciibed and illustrated by Col. Dalton. Very 

 likely the Bhil women had not given up the verdant foliage for their 

 dress, when the Hyagrlva-vadlia was composed ; but a hypothesis may be 

 started as to the origin of the Bhillas of Rajputana and the Juangas of 

 Keonjhar. It is a puzzle to ethnologists whether the Bhils and the Kols 

 do not belong to the same aboriginal stock. Mr, Forbes Ashburner, 



