Dec. 1, 1903.] Supplement to the " Tropical AgricuUtin:i{" 
439 
Chinese dealers, served for the preparation of 
400 piculs of oil and 3,430 piculs of oil cake. 
In Java the cotton-tree is held to be an 
excellent support for pepper plants, cubebs, &c. 
It is also employed as a shade tree in the coffee 
plantations. Again, in India it constitutes 
naturally excellent living telegraph posts, on 
account of the two following properties: — The 
wood is not attacked by the termite-ants, whilst, 
on the other hand, the horizontal and widely 
separated branches do not interfere with the 
wires. 
« 
NATIVE BELIEFS REGAEDING THE 
HAIRMARKS ON CATTLE. 
[j. D. E. HOLMKS, M,A., M.R.C.V.S,] 
Lucky Marks. 
(1.) Tdmani Suli.—k ridge of hair along the 
middle line of the back about its centre. 
"Tamnni" means a herd, and this mark indicates 
that the purchaser will acquire a large number of 
cattle. 
(2.) Irattai Kavam consists of two ridges of 
hair, one on each side of the brisket, A single 
hairmark on one side of the brisket (Ottaikavam) 
is most unlucky, and forebodes the loss of all 
other cattle in the house and also the death of the 
purchaser. 
(3.) Bhashkam Suli is a crown on the forehead 
above the line of the eyes. " Bhashicam " is the 
name of the wreath worn by bride and bridegroom 
during the marriage cerenony. If the purchaser 
be a bachelor or widower, this mark indicates 
that he will marry soon. If the purchaser be a 
married man, he will either have the misfortune 
to lose his wife and marry again, or the good 
fortune to obtain two wives. 
(4.) Gopura Suli, — A crown upon, in front of, 
or immediately behind, the hump. Considered a 
very lucky mark. 
(5.) Nir Suli is a crown situated on the middle 
line of the back, just opposite to the ope ing of 
the urethra. Regarding this the saying is that 
"The family will either be reduced to r.shes or 
swell like a river." The hairmark is thus of 
doubtful signification. An intending purchaser 
rather than incur the risk of evil consequences 
will avoid the purchase. The ryots say that if a 
little earth be taken and rubbed on this hairmark 
the bullock will void urine. 
(6.) E'rupurdn (ascending centipede). —A ridge 
of hair on the hind quarters curving up to the 
back is a sign of coming prosperity. If the ridge 
does not curve upwards to the back it is called 
Irangupurdn (""descending centipede"), and indi- 
cates adversity to the purchaser. 
(7.) Lakshumi Suli is a hairmark situated on 
one side of the neck, at a distance from the 
dewlap. " Lakshumi" i'iihQ goddess of fortune. 
This is considered to be the most lucky hairmark, 
but is rarely met with. A bullock with such a 
mark is highly esteemed, and fetches a long price. 
Unlucky Marks. 
(1.) Mukkanti Suli ov Agni Suli. — Three crowns 
ou the forehead arrauged ia form of a triangle 
said to represent the three eyes of Sivu, of which 
the one in the forehead will, if opened, burn up 
all tilings within the range of vision. 
This mark forebodes ruin to the purchaser. 
(2.) Kudai-inel-kudai. — Tsvo crowns one over 
the other on the forehead predict disaster after 
disaster. 
(3.) Ottai-Kavam. — A single hairmark on one 
side of the brisket close to the middle line fore- 
bodes loss of all other cattle in the house and the 
death of the purchaser. 
(4.) Vilanyu Suli (fetters). — Hairmarks on the 
fetlocks of either pair of legs indicate that the 
purchaser will soon be in gaol. 
(5.) Pddai Suli, — Two ridges of hair on the 
back on either side of the middle line ; indicates 
that the purchaser will soon need a coffin. 
(6.) Iranyuptirdn (descending centipede).) — A 
ridge of hair ou the hind quarters not curving 
upwards to the back indicates adversity. 
(7.) Ndgappadam.—k ridge of hair on the 
haunch spreading out at one end like the hood of a 
cobra. If the direction of the hood is upwards it 
is termed Munnagam, and if downwards Pinnagam. 
(8.) Tattu Suli (obstacle). — A crown situated 
on the back between the points of the hips ; indi- 
cates that any business undertaken by the pur- 
chaser will fail. 
(9.) Tudnippa Suli. — A hairmark on the side of 
the tail near the root, sometimes extending as ridge 
over the back. 
Other Superstitions regardiny Cattle. 
A bullock whose tail has the root of the tuft of 
hair situated above the hock is said to have 
"E'ru-val," and to bring ill-luck. A cow having 
" E'ru-val " is not objected to. 
A bullock having white hair, skin, horns, and 
hoof is considered of weak constitution, and not 
to be purchased. 
A black bullock is generally considered a rogue. 
If not a rogue, he is considered of great value 
according to the saying — " A black bullock is but 
the fourth of a bull, but if he be guileless he is a 
bullock and a quarter." 
A bullock with numerous small spots over the 
body, " like a deer," is considered very lucky. 
The form of the herns is supposed to indicate 
many things. The different forms of horns go by 
different names- For instance, Madakkombu 
means horns bent backwards. This is a good sign 
in a cow. The saying is — " Let any man who 
does not know how to select a cow purchase one 
with horns curved backwards," 
Straight horns, Silai, are liked. Horns pointed 
forwards, ICdpadd, indicate spirit. Twisted horns, 
Churuttai, are considered good. Horns which are 
hollow and present white patches, looking as if 
they were rotten, " Kollikkombu," are considered 
very disastrous. Horns with white tops, Pm?i- 
kombu, are also bad. 
If a cow at the time of purchase voids urine, it; 
is considered a very good omen, but if she passes 
dung it is a bad omen. The reverse is the case 
with a bullock. 
A bullock which fails to cut the fourth pair of 
permanent incisors is called A'rukatti-madu, and 
is cousidered lucky, that is, " Oue who purchosea 
