46 Statistical Account of the 



coast being Mahommedans, pigs are only to be met with 

 in two or three of the larger villages ; an English breed has 

 lately been introduced, thrives well, and is being gradually 

 disseminated. 



During the last few years the amount of stock has been 

 very greatly diminished by murrain ; in many places three- 

 fourths of the animajs have died. It is highly desirable that 

 the natives should receive some simple instructions as to the 

 method of treatment in such cases ; hitherto charms alone have 

 been applied, and the consequent loss to the country has been 

 very great indeed. 



Wild Animals. 



It is only within a recent period that attention has, so far 

 as I am aware, been paid to the zoology of the District. I am 

 therefore not prepared to enter into any details at present. So 

 far as the better known and larger animals are concerned, this 

 may be mentioned. 



Elephants are abundant everywhere, and cause considerable 

 injury to the cultivated lands. Accidents to human beings are 

 however extremely rare. The jungle Bear and the two species 

 of Leopard (commonly but falsely termed by Europeans, cheta 

 or tiger) are common, the black variety is occasionally met 

 with. Wild hogs are abundant and frequently commit great 

 ravages in young cocoanut and plantain gardens, as do the 

 Porcupines. Herds of Deer are to be seen grazing in the 

 plains or trooping through the forest glades ; there are four 

 species, if the Musk deer be included. Jackals abound every- 

 where; the natives say that there are two distinct species, one 

 large and red, the other smaller and dark ; but I have not 

 been able to verify this. Two varieties of the Mungoose are to 

 be seen in every piece of open jungle; they prove destructive 

 to poultry, as do Wild-cats and Civets. The Manis, or scaly 

 ant-eater, I have met with on several occasions. It is used as 

 food. The rivers and tanks abound with Crocodiles, of which 

 there appear to be two species, one attaining a length of 



