6 



whose jetty hue (which cannot be the effect of exposure,) approach^ 

 es that of an African, but they are invariably stamped with the Hin- 

 du features, nor bear any traces of a distinct race. The bark 

 (Spatha) of the Areka often furnishes their whole clothing, which 

 at best never exceeds a bit of Cloth, sufficient for the purpose of 

 decency. The hair allowed to grow wild, forms, in time an im- 

 nience mass, whose impurities cannot be imagined without shrink- 

 ing;. They are divided into several distinct classes, marked by 

 some peculiarities, the 



Vaituwans — Vaituwans (literally Hunters) or Konakens are 

 ranked high, and prized for their superior fidelity and tractability. 

 They are expert Boatmen, and often employed in the manufacture 

 of Salt; their Women as an Article of Sale are laot much valued, 

 the Children of this class being the property of the Father's Master. 



Polayens — The Polayens 'constitute much the largest number of 

 the Prosdial servants, they are sfjlit into three classes, Vullava, Kun- 

 naka, Moonry Polay en, each baser than the other. Husband and Wife 

 sometime serve dfferent persons, but more frequently the same. 

 The Females of this Class are given in usufruct, scarcely ever in 

 complete possession ; the eldest male Child belongs to the Master 

 of the Father, the rest of the family remain with the mother while 

 young, but being the property of her owner revert to him when of 

 an age to be useful, and she follows in the event of her becoming 

 a Widow. 



Parriars — The Parriars also form a very considerable number 

 of the Slaves the erst is divided hi to Perroom Parriar N. of Ko- 

 dungaloor, Mounay Parriar S. of that place, they are inferior to 

 those of the other Coast, and reckoned so very vile, that their con- 

 tact would entail the most alarming contamination. Their taste 

 for Carrion has doubtless caused this prejudice, which goes oo far 

 as to suppose they inhale a fetid odour. The death of a Cow or 

 Bullock is with the Parriars the season of jubilee, never stopping 

 to enquire its cause, they indulge the horror of the higher classes 

 in the feast it affords. Unlike some of the other Caste of Sherram- 

 ukkuls they do not connect themselves with their kindred, but as 

 with the Vaituwans, the Children are the property of the Father's 

 Master- They are ingenious in wicker work, and are capa- 

 ble of great labour, but in point of value and character are 

 greatly below the Polayens. They pretend to be great necroman- 

 cers, and their masters respect their powers or fear their spells; 



