APRIL — JUNE, 1857.] over the Annamullay Mountaiiis. 99 
sticks tied together with some of the fibrous "barks which seem al- 
ways to be at hand. 
The roof is of leaves, teak leaves being preferred when they can 
be had. These are laid on like tiles, and as it appears to me they 
only stay there because their friends the Kaders wish it. It is true 
that in these dense forests the wind is little felt ; but if an Engi- 
neer staked his credit upon such a roof, I am perfectly certain that 
neither his person nor his character would have a square inch to 
shelter under. The thickness of the roof and walls could not be 
one quarter of arf inch, and the whole material of a house would not 
be considered a load for the feeblest old woman who picks up sticks 
to boil her kettle with. 
I lived in huts of this kind with my friend Mr. Michael when we 
were examining the forests, and spent many days in them during 
the S. W. monsoon when there was constant rain. I will not say 
that these dwellings were altogether water-tight ; but the roof 
being within reach as wc lay upon our beds, we could always with 
the point of our fingers slip the leaves that were out of place into 
their right position, and stop the leaks that troubled us. 
The furniture of these little houses consisted of a bed-stead, and 
if required, a table. Both were made by sticking stakes into the 
ground and tying sticks across, so that a plank or mat might rest 
upon them ; but as planks and mats were not always at hand, the 
surface of the table or bedstead was formed from a thick bamboo. 
The Kader holding it with one end resting on the ground, slash- 
ed round each joint, driving his bill-hook lengthwise into the bam- 
boo. When this had been done round every knot and joint, a cut 
down one side of the bamboo laid it open, and it flattened out and 
formed a strong and elastic mat (if it may be so called,) admirably 
adapted to support the bedding. Each of these was about 18 inches 
broad, and two were more than sufficient for a single,bed, where 
such sleep was to be had as we found in our Annamullay wanderings. 
One of the characteristics of the Kader was always said to be 
his love of truth and so we found it on an acquaintance ; although 
on one occasion our faith in it was somewhat shaken ; when seek- 
9 
