42 The Ethnology of India. 



House, Oah, Oa. 



Mouth, Ah, A'. 



Eye, Meht, Met. 



In fact, of the first nine of Voysey's words which are also given by 

 Hodgson, seven are identical, a circumstance very remarkable, seeing 

 how far these illiterate tribes are separated from one another. None of 

 the words correspond with the Dravidian synonyms, so there can be no 

 doubt that we have traced the Kolarians so far. 



Immediately beyond the Koors, from Asseerghur westwards, we are 

 in the Bombay Presidency. 



As I cannot ascertain that Mhars and Mangs and Ramooses 

 now live as entirely separate tribes, I may at once say that, so far 

 as my information goes, the Bombay Aborigines are (for my present 

 purpose) all comprised in the two tribes of Koolees and Bheels. 

 These tribes are scattered over a great portion of the Presidency, and 

 in some parts, the Koolees especially, seem to live as a part of the 

 general population. But the Koolees in part, and the Bheels more 

 generally, are still found in portions of their original seats as distinct 

 tribes, and they both seem to be numerous. Their name, position, 

 and character seem to mark the Koolees as Kolarians. But beyond 

 this, the more precise test of language is unfortunately wanting. I 

 have not been able to find that these tribes have now any aboriginal 

 languages of their own. They are generally said to speak dialects of 

 the civilised languages of the neighbouring countries. In one or two 

 places allusion is made to the existence or supposed existence of a 

 Bheel language in remote jungles, but I have not found any precise 

 indication respecting it. 



I was at first inclined to conjecture that the separation into two 

 tribes of Koolee and Bheels, and perhaps the more predatory character 

 of the latter, might point to a division of race ; that the Bheels might 

 be Dravidians. I find, however, that the general opinion of those 

 qualified to judge seems to tend to the belief that there is no essential 

 difference between the two tribes. Forbes in his " Has Mala says : 

 " Koolees or Bheels, for though the former would resent the classi- 

 fication, the distinctions between them need not be here noticed." 

 Capt. Probyn says, " I think there is no actual difference between 

 Koolees and Bheels. Their religion is the same." Mr. Ashburner : 



