to the family deity, which may be Bhagavati, or some demon, or the spirit of an ancestor. Once a year, Vannans come dressed in fancy costume, with crowns on their heads, and dance round the courtyard to the sound of music and tom-toms, while a Tiyan priest presents the family offerings, uncooked rice and young cocoanuts, with camphor and incense, and then rice fried with sugar and ghi (clarified butter)." In an account of the Tiyans, Mr. Logan writes [116] that "this caste is much given to devil-charming, or devil-driving as it is often called. The washermen (Vannan) are the high priests of this superstition, and with chants, ringing cymbals, magic figures, and waving lights, they drive out evil spirits from their votaries of this caste at certain epochs in their married lives. One ceremony in particular, called teyyattam--a corrupt form of Deva and attam, that is, playing at gods--takes place occasionally in the fifth month of pregnancy. A leafy arbour is constructed, and in front of it is placed a terrible figure of Chamundi, the queen of the demons, made of rice flour, turmeric powder, and charcoal powder. A party of not less than eighteen washermen is organized to represent the demons and furies--Kuttichattan (a mischievous imp), and many others. On being invoked, these demons bound on to the stage in pairs, dance, caper, jump, roar, fight, and drench each other with saffron (turmeric) water. Their capers and exertions gradually work up their excitement, until they are veritably possessed of the devil. At this juncture, fowls and animals are sometimes thrown to them, to appease their fury. These they attack with their teeth, and kill and tear as a tiger does his prey. After about twenty minutes the convulsions cease, the demon or spirit declares its pleasure, and, much fatigued, retires to give place to others; and thus the whole night is spent, with much tom-tomming and noise and shouting, making it impossible, for Europeans at least, to sleep within earshot of the din." Vannattan.--A synonym of Veluttedan, the caste of washermen, who wash for Nayars and higher castes. Vanni Kula Kshatriya.--A synonym of the Pallis, who claim to belong to the fire race of Kshatriyas. Vanniyan.--A synonym of Palli. The name further occurs as a sub-division of Ambalakaran and Valaiyan. Some Maravans also are known as Vanniyan or Vannikutti. Ten (honey) Vanniyan is the name adopted by some Irulas in the South Arcot district. Vantari.--See Telaga. Vanuvan.--A name assumed by Vaniyans who have abandoned their hereditary occupation of oil-pressing, and taken to trade in grain and other articles. Varakurup.--Recorded, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a title of Malayalam Paravans. Varige (millet).--An exogamous sept of Kapu.