1845.] Visit to the Hills near the Soobanshiri River, 261 



Tema and his wives in the upper end or first fire, his sons and daugh- 

 ters round the next, other members of the family round the third, and 

 slaves and dependents round the fourth. Fearful of being pillaged by 

 the Abors, they do not venture to display much property in their houses. 

 The greater portion of it lies buried in some remote spot known only to 

 the heads of the family. Besides cattle, ornaments, arms and wearing 

 apparel, it consists of large dishes and cooking vessels of metal, and what 

 are called Dao Guat, such as little bells with various devices and inscrip- 

 tions, in what I fancy must be the Thibetan character ; but I know it not. 

 The Meris do not know where they come from ; a few are occasionally 

 obtained in barter with the Abors, but the most of them have been 

 handed down as heir-looms in the family, and they are regarded as the 

 most valuable portion of their property. They are occasionally used as 

 money, and valued at from four annas to twelve rupees each, according 

 to shape, size and ornament. Those with inscriptions inside and out 

 are most highly prized. Those without inscriptions are little valued. 

 These bells are common amongst the DufHas, who can give no better 

 account as to how they became possessed of them. I am told the Butias 

 sell them, and if so you can perhaps tell me something of their origin. 

 The Meris tell the same story if asked where they get their fine blue 

 beads, i. e. that they are heir- looms ; very seldom, they say, are they now 

 procurable in barter or exchange, though some few are occasionally 

 procured from the Abors. 



It is not impossible that numbers of these bells and beads thus 

 handed down as heir-looms may have been brought with them from the 

 country from which they originally emigrated. Regarding their mi- 

 grations they have no traditions. They believe, and they are not sin- 

 gular in the belief, that many orders and races of men were created, 

 whom the Creator allotted to dwell where soil and situation were best 

 adapted to the constitution and habits he had given to each ; and thus 

 that the Meris were created for, and have ever dwelt in these hills. 

 Their religious ideas are very vague. They believe in a future state, 

 and have an indefinite idea of a spirit who presides in the regions of 

 departed souls, as is shewn in their mode of disposing of their dead. 

 The body is interred fully clothed and equipped with arms, travelling 

 pouch and cap, in a deep grave, and surrounded by strong timbers to 

 prevent the earth from pressing on it. Nor do they omit to supply 



