Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832 edition. Excerpt: ...It might, indeed, be called a FISH FED BY THE HAND. 151 " realm of bees," comprehending so many " towered cities," filled with the " busy hum" of their industrious population The natives take these nests in the night-time, by making a fire under the tree; then, ascending the stem, wrapt in a thick woollen cloth, which they call a compally, when they have reached the boughs, they cut off the combs, leaving them to fall upon the ground. The honey and wax, in this district, are farmed by one man, of the government, who pays about twenty-five hundred rupees for the monopoly. The bee is a very small species, and its products, of both kinds, are deemed excellent. May 7. Here is a famous fish-pagoda, on the banks of the river Manantoddy. It bears that name because, at the annual festival of the idol-worship in it, the pilgrims who resort hither have been in the habit, from time immemorial, of feeding the fishes in the adjacent stream with rice, which they held in their hands in the water, and the creatures are so tame that they come in shoals, and eat the food thus presented to them. Many of the pensioners of this pious bounty are enormously fat and overgrown, but it would be impiety to kill or harm one of them, as they are held sacred. May 9. From Manantoddy, which we left this day, the road, though excellent, lies through dense, damp, and pestiferous jungles, the abode of wild animals. In the afternoon our bearers suddenly set up the cry of " Huttee! huttee!"--that is, "An elephant! an elephant!" They immediately put down the palanquins, and began to shout with all their strength of lungs, in which we heartily joined them, and soon had the satisfaction to see the dreaded animal--being a solitary one--moving off into the thickest part of the...
