1837.] An Account of the Tribe of Mhadeo Kolitis. 101 



conceiving that something heating is nscessary, in the moist and cold 

 climate of their hills during the monsoon. 



The Kolies are rather apt^to accuse each other of being faithless and 

 cunning ; they seldom communicate their intentions of a private nature 

 to any friend. They also bear the character of being very revengeful, 

 and gladly, but patiently, await an opportunity of secretly indulging 

 their vindictive passions. But one of the most odious features in their 

 character, is the envious spirit said to be more or less common to them. 

 Any unusual superiority, good fortune, or happiness, visible among any 

 of their kindred, kindles a feeling of such malicious envy in their bosoms, 

 that they are frequently urged on to attempt, by some secret means, to 

 lessen the happiness of the object of their hatred, by mixing some deli- 

 terious matter in his food, which may either kill him or render him an 

 object of pity, during the rest of his life (this is supposed to be effected 

 by magical powers); or they will injure his cattle, or set fire to his 

 house, when it is well stored with grain. 



Notwithstanding the ftolies exhibit so many vices in their disposition, 

 to which the common ones of falsehood and deceit are to be added, yet, in 

 their intercourse with each other, as members of the same village 

 community, they in general bear a pretty fair character for honesty and 

 plain dealing, and their readiness to aid and accommodate each other 

 at particular seasons seems mutual. 



Being thoughtless and imprudent, they are too easily misled by 

 advice, that they ought without hesitation to disregard. The Ko- 

 lies are readily elated with success, and, on the other hand, failure or 

 misfortune greatly distresses them. They do not show great energy in 

 contending with, or trying to overcome, calamity. In conversation they 

 are very fond of using proverbs and similes. Very few indeed have 

 received any education, or are able to write or read. Some are gifted 

 with retentive memories, and although they are so illiterate, they ap- 

 pear to relate traditions connected with their own history with great 

 precision. The animal perceptions of the Koly seem very acute, and 

 their agility and speed are often very great. 



Excepting the cow and the village hog, the Kolies eat all animal food ; 

 they are very fond of the wild hog, and occasionally contrive to kill it 

 by pursuing and forcing it to leap down a precipice. It is a most ex- 

 citing spectacle to see- the inhabitants of two or three Koly villages, 

 bounding with rapidity over the hills after the wild hog, shouting and 

 cheering their dogs forward in pursuit of the game. The Kolies in the 

 pay of government are armed with matchlocks and swords. They 

 never appear to use the bow and arrow, although the Bheels in their 

 vicinity scarcely use any other arms. 



The Koly females are generally slender and well formed,with features 

 of a pleasing expression. Some are very pretty. When compared with 



