The table shows clearly that, while all the four tribes are of short and uniform stature, the nasal index, both as regards average, maximum and minimum, is higher in the Sholagas and Irulas of the Nilgiri jungles than in the more domesticated Irulas of Chingleput and Uralis. In brief, the two former, who have mingled less with the outside world, retain the archaic type of platyrhine nose to a greater extent than the two latter. The reduction of platyrhiny, as the result of civilisation and emergence from the jungle to the vicinity of towns, is still further brought out by the following figures relating to the two classes of Irulas, and the Kanikars of Travancore, who still live a jungle life, and those who have removed to the outskirts of a populous town:-- ===========================+=============================== | Nasal index. ---- |----------+----------+--------- | Average. | Maximum. | Minimum. ---------------------------+----------+----------+--------- Irulas, jungle | 84.9 | 100 | 72.3 Kanikars, jungle | 84.6 | 105 | 72.3 Kanikars, domesticated | 81.2 | 90.5 | 70.8 Irulas, domesticated | 80.3 | 90.5 | 70 ===========================+==========+==========+========= The Irulas of North Arcot are closely related to those of Chingleput. Concerning them, Mr. H. A. Stuart writes as follows. [188] "Many members of this forest tribe have taken to agriculture in the neighbouring villages, but the majority still keep to the hills, living upon roots and wild animals, and bartering forest produce for a few rags or a small quantity of grain. When opportunity offers, they indulge in cattle theft and robbery. They disclaim any connection with the Yanadis, whom they hate. Their aversion is such that they will not even allow a Yanadi to see them eating. They offer worship to the Sapta Kannikais or seven virgins, whom they represent in the form of an earthenware oil-lamp, which they often place under the bandari (Dodonoea viscosa ?), which is regarded by them as sacred. These lamps are made by ordinary village potters, who, however, are obliged to knead the clay with their hands, and not with their feet. Sometimes they place these representatives of their goddess in caves, but, wherever they place them, no Pariah or Yanadi can be allowed to approach. The chief occasion of worship, as with the Kurumbas and Yanadis, is at the head-shaving ceremony of children. All children at these times, who are less than ten years old, are collected, and the maternal uncle of each cuts off one lock of hair, which is fastened to a ragi (Ficus religiosa) bough. They rarely contract marriages, the voluntary association of men and women being terminable at the will of either. The more civilised, however, imitate the Hindu cultivating