1855.] Notes on Northern Cachar. 685 



III. 



Measurements of some of the tribes Inhabiting the hills on the 

 ^Eastern frontier of Bengal. 



Note. 



The following measurements of the tribes were commenced with 

 an idea, that they might be useful in determining the affinity of the 

 various clans. Independently however of its being a laborious 

 and unpleasant occupation, the work was arrested by an opinion 

 having got abroad among the people that such close research was 

 connected with an unholy purpose, and nothing could dissuade 

 them from this absurd belief. — One or two of those last measured, 

 being covered to undergo the operation, evinced the greatest trepi- 

 dation during the process, and not even the bribe of 4 annas per 

 man, offered to likely subjects, could induce them to come forward, 

 they avering that they would be obliged to spend four times that 

 sum, afterwards, in sacrifices, to avert the evil that might accrue to 

 them — with the single exception of the old Kookie, however, in these 

 measurements, the others are very fair average types of their respec- 

 tive tribes. — The former is a very small specimen, and but poorly 

 represents his family. 



K. Stewart. 



