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the innumerable islands inhabited only by wild beasts, and pre- 
senting an immense barrier all along the sea-coast, from S augur 
island to the great mouth of the Megna. Of this propensity in 
tigers the Molungies are so thoroughly aware, that, while perform- 
ing their duties on the long spits of sand which project into the 
sea, from the impenetrable jungles that skirt the soil, a look-out is 
always kept for tigers on the opposite banks of the rivers; and as 
soon as any appear, the whole take to flight, and conceal them- 
selves in caves excavated for the purpose; from which, it how- 
ever sometimes happens, the hungry animal removes every obsta- 
cle with his claws, and drags out one or more of the inhabitants, 
already half dead with terror.” 
“ The reader will naturally inquire, why some means are not 
adopted for opposing devastations of this nature, and for securing 
the Molungies from such a dreadful misfortune? The fact is, that 
no one is a Molungie from choice; but, according to the principle 
prevailing throughout Hindostan, the occupation of the father and 
his ancestors is continued invariably by his posterity. The Mo- 
lungies would, however, readily deviate from this principle if they 
had the power to do so; but, being kept to their posts by various 
guards of revenue peons, or officers, they are unable to quit their 
miserable situation. These revenue officers are, in addition to 
some provincial militia, posted at all the places whereby it is pos- 
sible to escape in boats: as to making off by land, it would be 
utterly impossible; the surrounding country being an immense 
wilderness, full of tigers, abounding in snakes, and intersected by 
a labyrinth of rapid waters, replete with alligators and other rep- 
