130 Tlie Ethnology of India. 



1 Gaudas,' and under native governments not unfrequently farmed the 

 rents. There also seems to have been the village communal system 

 in some degree, but in most places not democratic. The Wokuls are 

 indifferent soldiers, but serve as Militia. They eat flesh freely and 

 are not a strict class. There are, it seems, a number of sub-divisions 

 among them. One of the chief are called Gungacara, but whether 

 that indicates a northern origin, I can't say. In truth Wokul seems to 

 be a very wide word. A considerable proportion of the cultivators, 

 in several parts of this country, seem to be settled and reclaimed 

 aborigines, sturdy " Beders" and " Malawa" or " hillmen," and there 

 are a class allied to the Billiaru and Teermen of the Western Coast. 



The low Helot outcastes are numerous and called " Hollayers" 

 Some of this caste seem to be still aboriginal in the Western Ghats, 

 they are mentioned as coming down to the Coast nearly or quite 

 naked ; but most of them are agricultural labourers and serfs. They 

 are said to correspond to the " Dhers" to the north and to the Palli or 

 Pallers to the south. "Iialaya" means ancient, and the word Hollayer 

 perhaps only means " the ancient race." The Gollars, Golavadu or 

 Gwallas seem to be few, but the " Dhangars," mentioned as connected 

 with Aheers, extend a good way south, and there is a large class of 

 the aboriginal shepherds the " Carambers." There are Banjaras called 

 also " Lambadi," and I believe also " Warali" or " Katode Warali," but 

 I am not sure whether these last are not a kind of Gpysies found also 

 in the Bombay country. 



The Buis and Bustars are palanquin-bearers, fishermen, ferrymen 

 and distillers. 



The old Oanarese dynasties and most of the people were at one 

 time Jain, but those of that faith are now few, they have returned 

 to the worship of Siva and the Lingam, which seems to be their 

 ancient faith. This former Jain profession seems to be, however, a 

 link of connection with the Banees farther North. 



My impression, in passing through the country, has been that the 

 Canarese as a body are fairer and better looking than most of their 

 southern neighbours ; and as the tribes of a northern character seem 

 to prevail among them less than in the Tamil and Telagoo country, it 

 may be a question whether their features are influenced by an infusion 

 from the west. It see'ms that the ancient name of the Canarese 



