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quented spots, where the cardamom is often unexpectedly found: 
diligent search is always made for the springing plants at the com- 
mencement of the rainy season. I was informed that in some 
places they burn the bushes, which are always cut down at that 
time; as the ashes produce an excellent manure without injuring 
the growing plant; by what means I know not. The cardamom 
is not general on the Malabar hills, but confined to particular dis- 
tricts, and especially to moist situations. 
There were some thriving coffee plantations on the island of 
Durmapatam near Tellicherry; the seed was originally brought 
from Mocha, but the Malabar coffee is inferior in flavour and 
refreshment to the Arabian berry: it is a beautiful plant in 
its foliage, blossoms and fruit, but too well known to need a de- 
scription. 
The ordeal trials, mentioned in other parts of these volumes, 
were frequently practised at Tellicherry, even under the sanction of 
the British government: this custom, so contrary to the general 
opinion in Europe, is universally admitted under the sovereigns of 
Malabar. Under their administration, when a man, accused of a 
capital crime, chooses to undergo the ordeal trial, he is closely con- 
fined for several days, his right hand and arm are covered with thick 
wax-cloth, tied upand sealed, in thepresenceof proper officers, to pre- 
vent deceit: in the English districts the covering was always sealed 
with theCompany’s arms, and theprisoner placed under an European 
guard. At the time fixed for the ordeal, a cauldron of oil is placed 
over a fire; when it boils, a piece of money is dropped into the 
vessel; the prisoner’s arm is unsealed, and washed in the presence 
of his judges and accusers: during this part of the ceremony, the 
