1847.] Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, $-c. 13 



with a single eye, without mouths, without noses, with long feet and 

 toes turned backwards, of people only three spans in height."* 



The existence, however, of cannibals in the hilly countries bordering 

 on the eastern frontier of Bengal is not fabulous, but a fact which is 

 generally admitted in the present day. It was known to Herodotus 

 upwards of two thousand years ago. Speaking of the natives of India, 

 he remarks : " Some inhabit marshes and live on raw fish which they 

 catch in boats made of reeds divided at the joint, and every joint makes 

 a canoe. These Indians have a dress made of rushes which, having 

 mowed and cut, they weave together like a mat and wear in the manner 

 of a cuirass." This account seems to refer to the aboriginal tribes of 

 the low country beyond the Ganges, or the ancient inhabitants of the 

 marshes of Mymensing and Sylhet. It is stated that to the east of 

 them there are other Indians called Padaei (™daioi) who are cannibals. 

 Tibullusf describes them as a people of the farther east ; and though 

 they have been mentioned by Cellarius as belonging to India intra Gan- 

 gem, yet it is certain from his testimony and that of Herodotus, as is 

 stated in the work, entitled " Universal History," that they were situated 

 " to the east of the Ganges and even at a considerable distance from it." 

 Herodotus, speaking of their customs, observes — " If any man among 

 them be diseased his nearest connexions put him to death, alleging in 

 excuse that sickness wastes and injures his flesh. They pay no regard 

 to his assertions that he is not really ill, but without the smallest com- 

 punction deprive him of life. If a woman be ill, her female connexions 

 treat her in the same manner. The more aged among them are regu- 

 larly killed and eaten : but to old age there are very few who come, for 

 in case of sickness they put every one to death." % The practice here 

 detailed is followed in the present day by a tribe of Kookis, who reside 

 far in the interior of the Tipperah country. An intelligent native, who 



* Robertson's Ancient India, p. 34. 



" The Assamese believe in the existence of a tribe called Barkanas having ears 

 hanging down to the waist : the left ear serves as an ample bed to sleep on with 

 sufficient to spare to wrap the body up in." Wilcox. As. Res. Vol. XVII. p. 456. 

 Appendix, Note II. The same idea is also entertained by many of the natives 

 about Dacca. 



f " Ultima vicinus Phcebo tenet Arva Padeeus." Lib. IV. Eleg. 1. V. 45. 



i Rennell's Herodotus, p. 308. 



