224 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
to be bestowed by the great mountain spirit, and they are not here- 
ditary. 
On the death of one of these men there is always a very lively 
competition for his manuscripts, the proceeds of which are handed 
over to his youngest son. These men are not bound together by 
any common interest, but are all deadly rivals, and use every means 
in their power to damage the repute of their opponents. 
Social Relations , including Education of Children , Sfc . — Children 
are brought up very strictly. Disobedience is not permitted, and 
is very rarely seen. They are punished either by whipping or by 
being tied up without food or water for a given time. They are 
compelled to be very polite ; they may not sit in the presence of 
their parents, nor may they speak when their elders are conversing, 
nor play about the hut. If they wish to amuse themselves, they 
must go to the village yard. They are just as respectful and well- 
behaved to women as to men, also to strangers. 
As soon as they are old enough they are taught to make them- 
selves useful — first, they must help their mother about the house 
and garden, and fetch water. They are then taught to spin, to 
dance, and to fight. A little later they are employed in tending the 
cattle and in helping their parents in the fields. There does not 
seem to be much systematic instruction given them in any of these 
things, but they are obliged nevertheless to perform their duties in 
a satisfactory manner. 
With the exception of the schools for boys who are set apart for 
a higher education, the children do not receive much schooling., 
The puggees hold classes for an hour or two after supper,, by the 
light of large fires, and in these the boys are taught a smattering of 
writing and reading, and to repeat various portions of the Koran. 
Those who are going to' be educated for priests live in a puggee’s 
village, where only puggees and their pupils reside. There 
are sometimes 200 or 300 of the latter, and no females are per- 
mitted there. 
Treatment of Women , — Notwithstanding that the women associate 
with the men constantly in all their daily pursuits, they are by no 
means considered their equals, and are obliged to pay very great 
respect and absolute obedience to their husbands; They are not 
supposed to possess souls, and do not receive any education, Great 
