A short distance to the northward and westward of this town are the Neilgherries, or Neelagiris (see foregoing article), a range of mountains connecting the eastern and western ghauts. They contain a fertile and well-cultivated table-land, entirely free from jungle, and vary in height from 5,000 to 9,000 feet above the level of the sea: Jackanairy being 5,659; Dimhutty, 6,041; Ootakamund, 6,416; and one of the highest peaks, named Dodabet, about 9,000. The air is exceedingly clear, and the climate cool and healthy, on which account they are much resorted to by European invalids.

COIR, the fibre of the dry cocoa-nut. It is used by the people of India in the manufacture of cordage, matting, &c., and makes a cool stuffing for beds, chair bottoms, &c. COLES. The inhabitants of the province of Orissa are Hindoos, with the distinguishing name of Ooreas, but there are also in the woods and hills three distinct tribes, called Coles, Khoonds or Goands, and Soors, all differing in language and appearance from the Hindoos, and generally supposed to have been the original natives of the province. The Coles, who are subdivided into a number of small tribes, are a hardy, athletic race, of black complexion, and exceedingly ignorant, without any regular system of religion, worshipping the dog, the sahajan tree, paddy, mustard seed, and oil. They are, however, generally industrious cultivators, and have their houses tolerably well built of wood. Their original country, which they style Kolat Desum, is described by them as the north-western districts of Orissa, between Singhbhoom and Mohurbunj. The Coles were in a state of revolt against the authority of the British Government so far back as 1832-33, but are

now obedient subjects. The country is termed the Colhan; the people, the Coles. A political commissioner resides in the territory, and a corps of local infantry is

placed at his disposal. The upper boundary of this tract of country forms the south-west frontier of the possessions subordinate to the Supreme Government of British India. COMBACONUM, in the province of the Southern Carnatic, is situated about 23 miles north-easterly from Tanjore. This was the ancient capital of the Chola rajahs. It is still a large and populous town, chiefly inhabited by Brahmuns, and possesses a number of fine tanks and pagodas.

COMPADORE, a Madras butler, who is also called konnah-sircar, or keraz burdar. He acts as purveyor, sometimes under the orders of the master, but more generally of the head servant, who never fails to participate in the profits made by over-charges, and by the receipt of dustooree (q. v.) from the vendors of whatever may be provided for domestic consumption.

COMPOUND (corrupted from the Portuguese word campana), the enclosure in which isolated houses or bungalows in India stand. Compounds are formed either by a low wall or paling, or (in the interior) with bushes of cacti or other hardy plants. In the field, the commanding and other superior officers form their compounds of canvass walls (kunnauts). The compound contains the dwelling, which is generally in the centre, the out-offices, stable or awning for horses, the farm-yard, and the garden.

CONGEVERAM, or KANCHIPOORUM, is a large open town in Central Carnatic, situated about 45 miles south-westerly from Madras. It stands in a valley, and being built in a straggling manner, covers a space of ground nearly six miles in length. It consists of two divisions, one named Vishnoo Kanchi, and the other, Siva Kanchi. The principal street is about two miles and a half in length. This place is noted on account of its being the chief Brahmun station in the Carnatic. The great pagoda in Siva Kanchi has a

lofty tower over its entrance, from the summit of which there is a fine view of the surrounding country. Besides Brahmuns, Congeveram is inhabited by a considerable number of weavers. CONICOPOLY, an accountant, writer, clerk on the Madras establishment. COOLIE, a porter or carrier. Also see BHEEL.

COOLIN, or KOOLUNG, a bird of the stork species; the "démoiselle de Namedie" of the French. The extensive sands of rivers, and the borders of lakes, are their usual places of resort. The natives call them "kurkurah," from the cry resembling that word. They fly at an immense height, in the same form as wild geese, and can be heard at a long distance. They feed during the night in corn-fields, but seek the sandy beds of rivers shortly after day-break.

COOM, a name given to the Hurdwar

fair, when once in twelve years the number of persons present reaches a million.

COORG. See KOORG.

COOR MONAL, the partridge of the Himalayas. It is a wary bird, and as there is no cover on the grounds it frequents, it requires a good deal of manoeuvring to get a shot at it. The Coor Monals chiefly inhabit the snowy range. COORTAH, the little close-fitting jacket worn by the native women of India.

COREA. Corea consists of a remark

able peninsula, bounded on the north by the mountains dividing it from Chinese Tartary; and separated from Japan on the east by the Sea of Japan, also called the Straits of Corea; and from China on the west by the Yellow Sea. This country, which is 400 miles from north to south, by 150 from east to west, is traversed through its whole length by a chain of mountains, but contains a considerable extent of fertile and well cultivated plains, though in some parts sterile and rugged. The

capital is Kingkitao, an inland town, situated nearly in the centre of the country. Very little is known of Corea, the inhabitants having always shown great jealousy of all foreigners, never allowing them to proceed into the interior, nor to obtain any information regarding the country. It is under its own Sovereign, paying only a nominal tribute to China. The written language is the same as the Chinese, but the language spoken by the people is quite distinct. The population is understood to be about 8,000,000. CORGE, a score. (Portuguese, corja.) CORINGA, in the Northern Circars, about thirty miles south-east from Rajamundry, is a seaport, and has a wet dock, which is the only one of the kind on the coast of India between Calcutta and Bombay. COROMANDEL, the eastern coast of the peninsula of India.

COSS, a corrupt term, used by Europeans to denote a road-measure of about two miles, but varying in different parts of India. COSSAI. Cossai, sometimes called Munnipoor, from the name of its capital, is a mountainous and woody country, lying between the provinces of Bengal and Ava. By Europeans it is sometimes called Muklee, though neither of these names are used by the natives, who style themselves Moitay. The Bengalese call them Muggaloo. Cathee, or Kasee, is the name given to the people by the Burmese. It con

tinued to form part of the Burman empire until 1826, when, by the terms of the treaty of peace with the English, it was restored to independence. It is now under its own chief, protected by the English. The Cossayers have more resemblance to the Hindoos than to the Burmese; and they follow the Brahminical system of religion. The Cossayers are considered good artificers, and formerly supplied all the gun-smiths of the Burman empire. Being also much superior to the Burmese in

horsemanship, they furnished the only cavalry employed in the armies of Ava. COSSIMBAZAR, or KASIMBAZAR, in the province of Bengal, is situated about a mile south from Moorshedabad, of which city it may be considered the port. It is particularly noted for its silk manufactures, this district being perhaps next to China, the most productive silk country in

the world. COSS-MINARS, circular stone obelisks erected during the prosperous times of the empire of Delhi, in the upper part of India, and denoting distances of a mile and a half or two miles. COTTAH, a Bengal measure, equivalent to 720 square feet.

COWL, word, saying; promise, agree

ment, contract, engagement. An engagement or lease of land to a Peninsular Zemindar or large farmer. COWRY, a small shell, which passes in India as money. Five thousand cowries are the equivalent of one rupee, or two shillings! CRANGANORE is situated on the coast, in the province of Travancore, sixteen miles north from Cochin. It formerly belonged to the Dutch, and was a commercial settlement of some consequence. Its inhabitants are principally Jews, and according to their statements, Travancore was possessed by their people as early as

A.D. 490.

CRIS, or CREESE, the dagger of the Malays, a formidable instrument of death.

CROQUETTES, a very delicate preparation of chicken, beaten in a mortar, mixed up with fine butter, and fried in egg-shaped balls. It is in very common use at the tables of the Europeans in India. CRORE, Hindostanee. One hundred lars (q. v.), or ten millions. CUDDALORE (Goodaloor) is situated on the Malabar coast, twelve miles south of Pondicherry, standing between two arms of the river Panar, in Central or Middle Carnatic. It is an extensive and populous town, and

was formerly the seat of the English Government. The English factory was first established there in 1691, when a piece of ground was purchased from the rajah, and a fort erected, called Fort St. David. After the capture of Madras by the French in 1746, Fort St. David became [the head of the English settlements, and continued so until 1758, when it was besieged and taken by the French under Lally, who entirely demolished the fort. CUDDAPA, called by the natives Kurpa, is a town in the province of Balaghat. It stands on the bank of a small river, in about 14 deg. 30 min. N. latitude, and 79 deg. E. longitude. This was for many years the capital of an independent Pathan state, the chief of which was termed the nabob of Cuddapa, and many old Pathan families still remain here, who are considered to speak the Hindostanee language with remarkable purity. Large quantities of sugar and jaggery are made in the neighbourhood. The diamond mines are about seven miles north-east of the town, upon the bank of the Pennar. CUMLIE, a woollen shawl or covering, used by the common people in the west of India. There are manufactories of this article in Bellary. The demand is very extensive. CUMMABUND, a waistband, formed of folds of muslin, worn at all times by the most respectable classes of the natives of India, and on holiday occasions by the town classes. CUNJOORS, or SAUMPAREAIIS, snake-men, who profess to have the power of purging Indian dwellings of these noxious reptiles. CUPPRA, Hindostanee. pieces of cloth. CUTCH, a province in the west of India, bounded on the north by Ajmere, from which it is separated by the great sandy desert; east, Guzerat, from which it is divided by the Run; south, the sea; west, the easternmost branch of the Indus, called the Lonce, and a

Clothes,

salt marsh separating it from Sind. The southern boundary is formed by an arm of the sea running inland, between Cutch and the Peninsula of Guzerat, and called the Gulf of Cutch. There are no rivers in this province, with the exception of the Lonee, which flows along its western frontier. During the rainy season there are many streams, but their channels are generally dry soon after the rains cease. This province may be described as consisting of two distinct portions. One, an immense salt morass, named the Run; the other an irregular hilly tract, completely insulated by the morass and the sea. The Run, which is estimated to cover a surface of about 8000 square miles, commences at the head of the Gulf of Cutch, with which it communicates, and sweeps round the whole of the northern frontier of the province. It varies in breadth from five to eighty miles across, and during the rainy season forms a large sheet of salt water. At other times it presents a variety of appearances, being in some parts dry, barren sand, in some deep swamps, in others shallow pools and lakes, elsewhere fields of salt, and occasionally affording pasturage, and capable of cultivation. The other portion of this province is intersected by a range of rocky barren hills, running through the centre from east to west. It is almost destitute of wood, and has no water, except as procured by means of wells. The whole face of the country near the hills is covered with volcanic matter, and there is said to be an extinct volcano eighteen miles to the eastward of Lukhput Bundur. In 1819 Cutch was visited by a severe earthquake, which nearly destroyed a number of towns and forts, and filled the Run with water. pears probable that originally this province was an island. This province is not fertile, water being scarce, and often salt, and the soil either rocky or sandy. Its productions are consequently few, the prin

It ap

cipal is in cotton, which is exported in exchange for grain from Sind and other provinces. The horses of this province are, however, considered the best in India. Camels and goats also thrive, but the cattle are of an inferior description. Iron and alum are found in various parts, with a species of coal, and abundance of bituminous earths. Date trees grow in some tracts, and produce fruit of a good quality; but the cocoa-nut is reared with difficulty, even on the coast. Salt is procured from the Run, the banks of which are also much frequented by the wild ass. This animal is much larger and stronger than the domestic ass, and remarkably swift, but very fierce, and quite untameable. It is sometimes caught in pits, but has never been domesticated. Its flesh is esteemed good eating. The towns are Sukhput Bundur, Kowra, Bhooj, Anjar, and Mandavie. In ancient times this province appears to have been occupied entirely by pastoral tribes of Hindoos. At present its inhabitants are principally Jahrejahs of Sind origin, Bhattias, and other tribes of Hindoos, and a large proportion of Mahomedans. As a people, the inhabitants of this province, or, as they are generally styled, the Cutchees, may be described as the most degraded in India. They are noted for drunkenness and debauchery, and their treachery is proverbial. Female infanticide is universally practised by the Jahrejas, even by tribes calling themselves Mahomedans. The Cutch pilots and mariners, however, are noted for their skill, and claim the merit of having first instructed the Arabs in navigation and ship-building, though they still follow the practice of their forefathers without improvement.

CUTCHA, a weak kind of lime, obtained by burning a substance called kunkur, which at first might be mistaken for small rugged flints, slightly coated with soil. The experiments made upon these alkaline concre

tions give the following results:calcareous earth, 41; silicious earth, 16; calx of iron, 3; and air, 40. Kunkur is not easily reduced to a calx, it requiring a greater heat than is necessary to burn the harder kinds of gutty; it is likewise less durable and tenacious as a cement, of which the colour, viz., commonly what we call a fawn, is a strong indication. A cutcha building is of an inferior character, run up by persons of small capital or for temporary purposes. The word "cutcha" is generally used, in contradistinction to "pucka," to imply inferiority.

CUTCHERRY, court of justice; also the public office where rents are paid, and other business respecting the revenue transacted. CUTLAH, an Indian fish, a species of the perch, though some consider it to be of the bream kind: it is only found in the great rivers, is generally of a dark colour, approaching to black, and commonly weighs from ten to sixty pounds.

CUTTACK, the southernmost station under the Bengal Presidency. The road, which is a continuation of the great Benares line, leads to Pooree, the seat of the Temple of Juggernauth, and a delightful place of resort for sea-bathers from Calcutta. Cuttack, from its vicinity to the sea, and the total absence of all vegetation, is one of the most agreeable and healthful stations in India. The society is small, consisting, as it does, of a few civilians and a regiment or two of sepoys; but the contiguity of Cuttack to other small stations renders a considerable reunion of visitors a matter of no great difficulty. The finest salt in India is manufactured on the coast of Cuttack, yielding the Government a revenue little short of eighteen lacs of rupees. The produce, distinguished for its whiteness and purity, before it has passed into the hands of the merchant, is of the species called pangah, procured by boiling. The process observed by

The

the molunghees, or manufacturers, is rude and simple to the last degree. The sea-water, which is brought up by various small channels to the neighbourhood of the manufacturing stations, or khalaries, is first mixed up and saturated with a quantity of the salt earth or efflorescence, which forms on the surface of the low ground all around, after it has been overflowed by the high tides, and which being scraped off by the molunghees, is thrown into cylindrical receptacles of earth, having a vent underneath, and false bottom made of twigs and straw. strongly impregnated brine filtering through the grass, &c., is carried, by a channel dug underground, to a spot at hand, surrounded with an enclosure of mats, in the centre of which a number of oblong earthen pots, generally about two hundred, are cemented together by mud in the form of a dome, under which is a fire-place, or oven. The brine is poured into this collection of pots, or choolas, and boiled until a sufficient degree of evaporation has taken place, when the salt is taken out as it forms, with iron ladles, and collected in heaps in the open air. The heaps are afterwards thatched with reeds, and remain in this state until sold or removed by the officers of the agency. CUTTORAH, a metal cup. CUTWAL, the chief officer of police in a large Indian town, or city, and superintendent of the markets.

D.

DACCA, a city in the province of Bengal, on a branch of the Ganges, in Lat. 23 deg. 42 min. N., Long. 90 deg. 17 min. E. This was formerly one of the largest and richest cities in India, and was the capital of the eastern division of the Mahomedan government of Bengal. It is a large, but irregularly built town, containing about 180,000 inhabitants, and