No. 26.— 1883.] THE PANIKKANS OF MUCHALI. 



17 



if the cocoanut proves rotten, or if the jaggery is bad, the 

 elephant that has been caught will become blind. 



It is a very common thing for newly-caught elephants to 

 become blind, owing to want of sleep, and the unaccustomed 

 glare of the sun ; so the Annavi in whose charge the cocoanut 

 and other things are, has here a grand opportunity of 

 establishing his reputation as a prophet. 



The Annavi's share of the proceeds is, as a rule, 12^ per 

 cent, of the value of the elephant, besides Rs. 10 as fee for 

 his charms and ceremonies. Twenty per cent, is given to the 

 Panikkan who first noosed the elephant, aad the balance is 

 divided equally among the rest of the party, the Annavi 

 getting his share in addition to the 12| per cent, already 

 received. Thus, if the elephant is sold for Rs. 300, the 

 Annavi's total share will amount to Rs. 57, supposing 

 twenty men form the party.* 



* Further interesting particulars of these Elephant-catchers appear in 

 an account communicated through Mr. G. P. Sanderson, Superintendent, 

 Indian Government Kheddahs, to the " Pioneer" on September 15th, 

 1881, and copied into the " Ceylon Observer.'''' — Hon, Secy, 



G 



