NEILGHERRXES. 
205 
whose intellect can scarcely be said to amount to 
anything more than instinct, and who are governed 
by few laws except those of the brute creation. 
The Burgas are the most numerous class, are 
somewhat more personable, and apparently more 
cleanly, though it is questionable if they be much 
more civilised than the Kotas, They are the culti- 
vators of the soil, and are a very industrious race, 
notwithstanding they are said to have sprung ori- 
ginally from the inert Hindoos. In person they are 
diminutive, but active ; the countenance is far from 
intelligent, though mild, and the complexion is fair. 
Both sexes would be vastly more engaging if they 
could be taught the luxury of cleanliness ; but, alas ! 
like the paharris of the Himalas, they are said to 
wash but once in seven years. The costume of the 
women, though very original, also appears susceptible 
of improvement, inasmuch as discomfort and unsight- 
liness would seem to have been the desiderata of 
the invention. It consists of a peculiar style of 
petticoat— -to call it rude, to call it uncouth, bar- 
barous, would give no adequate notion of its incon- 
gruous discomfort and unsightliness — made of the 
very crudest description of coarse hempen-cloth, in 
the fashion of an elongated sack, but open at bottom. 
Being tied by a running string immediately under 
the arms, it descends to the ancles, leaving the neck, 
shoulders, and arms, bare ; and again it is confined 
at the knees, in the same manner, by a second string; 
T 
