ayani unu, bhutakkalam, appam poli, and avaltitti are all important items, and, at least in South Travancore, seldom failed to be gone through. In poor families the mother, without any formal ceremonial, ties the tali of the girl before she is twelve years old, after an oblation of cooked food to the rising sun. This is called Bhagavan tali, or god's marriage ornament. Freedom of divorce and remarriage exist. The pulikuti (tamarind) is an indispensable ceremonial, to be gone through by a pregnant woman. Inheritance devolves in the female line (marumakkattayam). The clothes washed by Veluttedans are used by Nambutiri Brahmans, without previous washing as on the east coast, for all religious purposes; and clothes polluted by a member of a low caste are purified by the Veluttedan sprinkling ashes and water over them. Vemu (margosa or nim: Melia Azadirachta).--An exogamous sept of Muka Dora. Vengai Puli (cruel-handed tiger).--An exogamous section of Kallan. Veralu Iche Kapulu or Velu Iche Kapulu (those who dedicate their fingers).--See Morasu. Veshya (Sansk: Beshya).--A name denoting prostitute, applied to dancing-girls. Vetagiri.--A Tamil class found in the Chingleput district. The members thereof are employed in hunting, cultivation, and the manufacture of wild date baskets. Their title is Nayakan. Vettaikaran (hunter).--An occupational name of Boyas, Irulas, and Koravas, returned at times of census. Vettile (betel vine: Piper Betle).--A kothu or tree of Kondaiyamkotti Maravans. Vettiyan.--Vettiyan is the name applied to one of the officials of a Tamil Paraiyan settlement, who is also called Toti or Thotti. The former title is said to be more respectful as an appellation than the latter, but this is a distinction without a difference. [147] The name Vettiyan is said to be equivalent to Bittiyan (bitti, for nothing), or one who does service, e.g., collecting grass, firewood, etc., without remuneration. Toti is derived from thott, to go round, as he is the purveyor of news, and has to summon people to appear before the village tribunal, or from tondu, to dig.