Chetti.--It is noted in the Census Report, 1891, that "the name Chetti is used both to denote a distinct caste, and also a title, and people bearing this title describe themselves loosely as belonging to the Chetti caste, in the same way as a Vellala will say that he is a Mudali. This use of Chetti has caused some confusion in the returns, for the sub-divisions show that many other castes have been included as well as Chetti proper." Again, in the Census Report, 1901, it is recorded that "Chetti means trader, and is one of those titular or occupational terms, which are often loosely employed as caste names. The weavers, oil pressers, and others use it as a title, and many more tack it on to their names, to denote that trade is their occupation. Strictly employed, it is nevertheless, the name of a true caste." The Chettis are so numerous, and so widely distributed, that their many sub-divisions differ very greatly in their ways. The best known of them are the Beri Chettis, the Nagarattu Chettis, the Kasukkar Chettis, and the Nattukottai Chettis. Of these, the Beri and Nattukottai Chettis are dealt with in special articles. The following divisions of Chettis, inhabiting the Madura district, are recorded in my notes:-- (a) Men with head clean-shaved:-- Ilavagai or Karnakudi. Sundaraththan. Ariyur. Malampatti. Palayapattu. Thedakottai. Periyakottai-vellan. Puliyangudi. Vallam or Tiruvappur. Kurungalur. (b) Men with kudumi (hair knot):-- Puvaththukudi or Mannagudi. Kiramangalam. Vallanattu. Marayakkara. Pandukudi or Manjapaththu.