83 The Island iwd Bridge of Sivasamudram. [January 



EeluV'an population. The office is heriditary attended by some pri- 

 vileges, and exercises a domestic authority, which is extended over 

 all the lower classes — to it belongs the investigation and decision of 

 all controversies connected with caste expelling from which, and 

 imposing small fines, is the limit of its power. The Tunclan presides 

 at all ceremonies, but the Punniken, a character of subordinate dig- 

 nity, is more particularly their priest, his spiritual aid being neces- 

 sary on all siich occasions, while his secular exertions are directed 

 to the education of the village youth. 



Kunneans and Panaris — The Kunneans,and Panans, are merely 

 divisions of the Elewur tribe, the former derive the appellation from 

 the science of divination, which some of their sect profess. The 

 Kunnean, fixes the propitious moment for every undertaking a'lid 

 hysterical aff'ections being supposed the visitation of some trouble- 

 some spirit his incantations are believed alone able to subdue it. Num- 

 bers are employed in making the chattries or parasols so generally 

 used here. The manufacture belonging peculiarly to them, but agri- 

 culture is their more ordinary pursuit. As it is also that of the 

 Panans, this class claims equality with the former one, from it are 

 taken the musicians of the inferior orders, but to this profession they 

 add that of players, pretend to a knowledge of medicine and the oc- 

 cult sciences. The two latter accomplishments are here generally 

 united. A doctor benig necessarily a musician, and almost equally 

 skilful in both characters. The Panans, differ from all tiie corres- 

 ponding classes in being married, and the children in every instance 

 belonging to the father. 



II. — An Account of the Island and Bridge of Sivasamvdram 

 in the Caver i River. By Rdnfiaswdmi 3Iudeliar, Jughirddr of 

 the Island. (Extracted from the Transactions of the Royal 

 Asiatic Society Vol. 3. Part 2d.) 

 (Communicated by the Madras Literary Society and Auxiliary. 

 Royal Asiatic Society.) 

 Read 17th December 1831. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE, 



BY 



James S. Lushington, Esq. 

 Secretary of the Asiatic Department of the Madras Literary 

 Society and Auxiliary Royal Asiatic Society. 

 The materials for the following account of the island of Sivasa- 



