MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR, S 
the grain in stacks, or heaps, after it has been thrashed out on the CHAPTER 
field. In order to guard against embezzlement, several pieces of 
clay, stamped with a seal, are then put "on the surface of the 
heap; and, to prevent injury from the weather, it. is thatched. The 
grain continues in these heaps, till the cultivator is able to satisfy 
the renter, either by advancing money, or by dividing the pro- 
duce. In every village a particular officer, called Talliari , keeps 
t 
watch at night, and is answerable for all that may be stolen. 
The cattle in the neighbourhood of Madras , are of the species Cattle, 
which is common to the Decan; but much smaller than those, 
which are brought from the northern parts of that country. They 
seem, however, to be larger than the cattle produced in the 
southern parts of Bengal. They are mostly light-brown, or white, 
and, notwithstanding the apparent want of pasture, are in better 
condition than the labouring cattle of Bengal , owing probably to 
the superior care that is taken of the rice straw by the inhabitants 
of Madras . Milch cows are fed entirely on grass ; grain, or pulse, 
is rarely given to such cattle as are not employed in hard labour. 
Near Madras , Buffaloes are in general use, and are often yoked in Buffaloes, 
the same cart with bullocks, although the paces of the two animals 
are very different. The buffaloes here are much smaller than in 
Bengal. 
24th April. — I set out early, and soon arrived at Say mbr uml) acum Reservoirs 
tank, which is of great extent. It has not been formed by digging, [£e rice- ^ 
like those in Bengal; but by shutting up, with an artificial bank, lands * 
an opening between two natural ridges of ground. The sheet of 
water is said to be seven or eight miles in length, and three in width; 
and in the dry season is let out in small streams, as wanted for 
cultivation. In the rainy season it receives a supply of water from 
the river Chir-nadi , and from several small streams that are col- 
lected by a canal. As at times the water overflows, and would 
break down the bank by falling over it, and sapping its founda- 
tions, the natives in different places construct what they call 
