Harkness, Henry: A description of a singular aboriginal race inhabiting the summit of the Neilgherry Hills, or Blue Mountains of Coimbatoor, in the Southern Peninsula of India (London, 1832)

PREFACE.

It was once the intention of the writer of the follow-
ing pages, to prefix to his work a short dissertation on the
origin and languages of the different tribes mentioned
therein. Diffident, however, as to whether his opinions
and speculations upon those points would possess much
interest with the public, he has, at least for the present,
suppressed that portion of his labours.

During a course of years, it has formed his constant
study and amusement, to obtain a competent knowledge
of the different customs, manners, systems of religion,
and languages of the numerous tribes of Hindus with
whom he has been brought acquainted ; and he has felt
peculiarly incited to this study, as regards that singular
race of people, the Tudas, to a description of whom so
prominent a place is assigned in the ensuing narrative.
It is to this pursuit that the author is indebted, for