The name Kaikolan is further derived from kai (hand), and kol (shuttle). The Kaikolans consider the different parts of the loom to represent various Devatas and Rishis. The thread is said to have been originally obtained from the lotus stalk rising from Vishnu's navel. Several Devas formed the threads, which make the warp; Narada became the woof; and Vedamuni the treadle. Brahma transformed himself into the plank (padamaram), and Adisesha into the main rope. In some places, the following sub-divisions of the caste are recognised:--Sozhia; Rattu; Siru-tali (small marriage badge); Peru-tali (big marriage badge); Sirpadam, and Sevaghavritti. The women of the Siru and Peru-tali divisions wear a small and large tali respectively. In religion, most of the Kaikolans are Saivites, and some have taken to wearing the lingam, but a few are Vaishnavites. The hereditary headman of the caste is called Peridanakaran or Pattakaran, and is, as a rule, assisted by two subordinates entitled Sengili or Gramani, and Ural. But, if the settlement is a large one, the headman may have as many as nine assistants. According to Mr. H. A. Stuart, [21] "the Kaikolans acknowledge the authority of a headman, or Mahanattan, who resides at Conjeeveram, but itinerates among their villages, receiving presents, and settling caste disputes. Where his decision is not accepted without demur, he imposes upon the refractory weavers the expense of a curious ceremony, in which the planting of a bamboo post takes part. From the top of this pole the Mahanattan pronounces his decision, which must be acquiesced in on pain of excommunication." From information gathered at Conjeeveram, I learn that there is attached to the Kaikolans a class of mendicants called Nattukattada Nayanmar. The name means the Nayanmar who do not plant, in reference to the fact that, when performing, they fix their bamboo pole to the gopuram of a temple, instead of planting it in the ground. They are expected to travel about the country, and, if a caste dispute requires settlement, a council meeting is convened, at which they must be present as the representatives of the Mahanadu, a chief Kaikolan head-quarters at Conjeeveram. If the dispute is a complicated one, the Nattukattada Nayanmar goes to all the Kaikolan houses, and makes a red mark with laterite [22] on the cloth in the loom, saying "Andvaranai," as signifying that it is done by order of the headman. The Kaikolans may, after this, not go on with their work until the dispute is settled, for the trial of which a day is fixed. The Nattukattada Nayanmars set up on a gopuram their pole, which should have seventy-two internodes, and measure at least as many feet. The number of internodes corresponds to that of the nadus into which the Kaikolan community is divided. Kamatchiamma is worshipped, and the Nattukattada Nayanmars climb up the pole, and perform various feats. Finally, the principal actor balances a young child in a tray on