570 
MUSCLE. 
certain ceremonies, according to the cast and sect to 
which they belong, and on the exact performance 
of these they lay the greatest stress. Their belief 
in the efficacy of these superstitious rites can never 
be removed, however different the event may be 
from the predictions of their deluders. Govern- 
ment therefore wisely gives way to their prejudices, 
and always keeps in pay some conjurors, to attend 
the divers and remove their fears. For though these 
people are so skilful and so much masters of their 
art, yet they will not on any account descend till 
the conjuror has performed his ceremonies. His 
advices are religiously observed, and generally have 
a tendency to preserve the health of the devotee. 
The diver is usually enjoined to abstain from eating 
before he goes to plunge, and to bathe himself in 
fresh water immediately after his return from the 
labours of the day. 
“ The conjurors are known in the Malabar lan- 
guage by the name of Pillal Karras , or binders of 
sharks . During the time of the fishing, they stand 
on the shore from the morning till the boats return 
in the afternoon, all the while muttering and mum- 
bling prayers, distorting their bodies into various 
strange attitudes, and performing ceremonies to 
which no one, not even themselves I believe, can 
attach any meaning. All this while it is necessary 
for them to abstain from food or drink, otherwise 
their prayers would be of no avail. These acts of 
abstinence, however, they sometimes dispense with, 
