jurisdiction usually go to him with any representations they may have to make to him as the head of their caste. The Desayi generally encamps in a tope (grove) adjoining the village. At the sound of the horn, the castemen on whose account the visit is made assemble at the place of encampment, with the Desayi's local representative at their head. The personal comforts of the Desayi are first attended to, and he is liberally supplied with articles of food by the party on whose account the visit has been undertaken. A large cup-shaped spoon is the ensign of the Desayi. On the outer surface, all round its edge, are carved in relief eighteen figures, each one being typical of one of the castes of which the Desayi is the social head. Under each figure is inscribed in Tamil the name of the caste which that figure typifies. The figures are smeared with red powder and sandal, and decorated with flowers. The menial, taking up the cup, rings the bell attached to it, to summon the parties. As soon as the sound is heard, the castemen amongst whom any offence has occurred assemble, each house in the village being represented by a member, so as to make up a panchayat (council). The Desayi's emblem is then placed in front of him in the midst of the panchayat, and a regular enquiry held. Supposing a person stands charged with adultery, the accused is brought before the assembly, and the charge formally investigated with the advice of the panchayat, the Desayi declares the accused guilty or not guilty, as the case may be. In the event of a man being pronounced guilty, the panchayat directs him to pay the aggrieved husband all the expenses he had incurred in connection with his marriage. In addition to this, a fine ranging from ten to twenty rupees is imposed on the offender by the Desayi, and is collected at once. A small fraction of this fine, never exceeding four annas, is paid to every representative who sits in the panchayat, the balance going into the Desayi's pocket. If the delinquent refuses to pay the fine, a council of the same men is held, and he is excommunicated. The recalcitrant offender soon realises the horrors of excommunication, and in a short time appears before the Desayi, and falls prostrate at his feet, promising to obey him. The Desayi then accompanies him to the village, calls the panchayat again, and in their presence removes the interdict. On this occasion, the excommunicated person has to pay double the amount of the original fine. But disobedience is rare, as people are alive to the serious consequences of excommunication. The Desayi maintains a regular record of all his enquiries and judgments, and in the days of the Nawabs these decisions were, it would appear, recognised by the Courts of Justice. The same respect was, it is said, also shown to the Desayi's decisions by the early courts of John Company. [53]