DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

The domestic animals are oxen, cows, buffaloes, horses, camels, asses, sheep, goats, cats, and dogs.

Oxen.

The 1881-82 returns show a total of about 149,762 oxen. During the last thirty years the breed of oxen has been improved by the introduction of Gujarat bulls and the breed of buffaloes by the introduction of Maisur buffalo bulls. Three breeds of bullocks are used for field and draught purposes, the hanam or half-Maisur breed, the surati or half-Gujarat breed, and the khadki or local breed. The hanam or half-Maisur bullock is a straighthorned handsome animal, of middle size, strong, and hardy, but bad-tempered and hard to tame. They trot faster than other bullocks and will do thirty-six miles in a day. A good pair of hanam bullocks costs £10 to £20 (Rs. 100 - 200). The surati or half-Gujarat bullock is taller than the hanam, and has long ears and a hanging dewlap. It is less active than the hanam but is stronger and better suited for field work. A surati bullock costs £5 to £25 (Rs. 50 - 250) and a good pair £10 to £50 (Rs. 100-500). The khadki or local bullock is small and has little strength or beauty. But as it costs only £1 10s. to £7 10s. (Rs. 15 - 75), it is much used in ploughing, draught, and pack carrying. Some khadki bullocks are brought into Kolhapur from the cattle fairs at Chinchli fifty-five miles east of Kolhapur, at Narsoba's Vadi twenty-five miles east of Kolhapur, and at Mangsoli forty miles north east of Kolhapur, but most are reared in Kolhapur by husbandmen. Bull calves are generally castrated when five years old. In a short time they are used for light work and when six years old are considered fit for hard work. In ploughing red or masari lands one or two pairs of bullocks are enough, but in black soils where deeper ploughing is wanted three or four pairs are required. The area that can be ploughed in one day varies from half an acre in heavy soil to one acre in light soil. In working wells two pairs of bullocks are required to draw a water-bag or mot holding sixty gallons of water. A pair of bullocks will draw a country cart with a load of about 8½ hundredweights (6 mans). The field wagons or gadas are much larger and are drawn by two to four pairs of oxen. Before the days of roads the carrying trade was in the hands of Lamans who kept pack-bullocks to carry grain and other articles of trade from and to the coast. With the opening of roads, especially of cart roads down the Sahyadris, the Lamana have disappeared and the number of pack-bullocks has greatly fallen. Still there are estimated to be about 8000 pack-bullocks. The Vanis and petty traders of the west keep them and make trips to Rajapur and other coast places, taking cereals, molasses, turmeric, chillies, and tobacco, and bringing back salt, sugar, cocoanuts, spices, and dates. The peddlers who retail piece-goods from market to market, keep pack-bullocks to carry their goods. Another class of pack-bullock keepers are the Balvars, who bring fuel from the forests into the towns. A pack-bullock carries on an average about 200 pounds. Besides for field work and for draught and pack-carrying bullocks are ridden by Lingayat husbandmen both men and women. Among Lingayats when the bridegroom brings the bride home, the newly married couple generally ride on a bullock. Bullocks are also used to carry water either in leather bags or in metal pots. In towns a single small bullock is often driven in a light driving cart. The Panguls, a class of wandering showmen, teach bullocks to perform tricks and lead them about dressed in gay clothing. Bulls are often devoted to the village gods and never put to work, and are allowed to roam through the streets and fields and serve as stallions. The setting loose of calves and heifers is also a part of the twelfth day funeral services.

Cows.

The 1881 returns show a total of about 112,000 cows. In the east especially in the Krishna-bank villages, the surati or half-Gujarat cows are greatly prized and for six to eight months after calving are said to yield as much as twenty-one pints of milk a day. In the west of the State the cows are small and poor. The price of a cow varies from 10s. to £4 (Rs. 5 - 40). Cows calve in their fourth or fifth year and for six to eight months give two to ten pints of milk morning and evening. They give milk till their fifteenth year and calve nine or ten times. The cultivating classes, and, in towns, Brahmans and other high class Hindus keep cows. Husbandmen rear their own calves. Townspeople generally hand their calves to husbandmen to be taken care of, the owner receiving them back when full-grown at half the market value. The rearers generally have the option to keep the animal by paying the owner one-half of its estimated value.

Buffaloes.

The 1880-81 returns show about 61,000 male buffaloes. They are chiefly found in the west where they are used in field work and for carrying water-bags. Vadars or quarrymen also use them for drawing loads of stone in their low block-wheeled carts. Gavlis or milkmen give male calves no share of their mother's milk and either give them away or let them die. The price of a male buffalo varies from £1 to £4 (Rs. 10-40). Male buffaloes are sometimes brought to Chinchli fair from as far north as Dhulia and Malegaon. They are put to work in their fourth or fifth year. Female buffaloes are returned at about 74,000. The best variety is known as jafrabadi from Jafrabad in South Kathiawar. Animals of this breed are said to yield twenty-seven pints of milk a day from six to twelve months after calving. A good she-buffalo costs £8 (Rs. 80), but fair animals can be bought at £3 to £5 (Rs. 30-50). Buffaloes usually calve in their third or fourth year and give over bearing, at eighteen or twenty. They have twelve to fifteen calves. Buffaloes are kept by husbandmen, well-to-do townspeople, Gravlis or milkmen, and Dhangars or forest herdsmen. Buffalo's milk is preferred to cow's except for infants and for the weak. Townspeople who keep cattle generally use all the milk in their own families. Townspeople who do not keep cattle are supplied with milk, and to some extent with butter, by milkmen of the Gavli caste. The rest of the butter used in towns is brought from the country by Dhangars who send in weekly supplies of clarified butter and drink the buttermilk or give it to the calves.

Feed of Cattle.

The east is well off for fodder, millet stalks or kadbi, river-bank grass, and the juicy creeping hariali Cynodon dactylon. Most of the cattle are healthy and well nourished, a contrast to the western cattle whom a diet of dry hill grass and rice and nachni straw leaves lean and stunted. Except during the rains, when they are taken to graze in the grass lands, oxen are generally stall-fed. They get grass, millet or nachni stalks, rice straw, bran, grain husks, cotton seed, and oil cake. Draught cattle are also allowed some grain generally millet or math and salt or oil in the cold season or when sick. The monthly keep of a field bullock costs about 8s. (Rs. 4) and of a draught bullock about 16s. (Rs. 8). Milch cows and buffaloes are stall-fed at night and are left to graze in grass lands or fields during the day. They are given cotton seed, oil cake, chopped gourds, and boiled grain such as millet wheat and gram. The monthly cost of a cow's keep varies from 8s. to 12s. (Rs. 4-6) and of a buffalo's from 12s. to 16s. (Rs.6-8).

Sheep.

Sheep are generally black or black and white. They are fed by Dhangars and sometimes by cultivators for their milk, butter, wool, and flesh. The sheep are sheared twice a year in November and in June. The Dhangars cut the wool with a heavy pair of shearing scissors. An average fleece weighs half a pound which is worth 3d. to 3¾d.(2-2½as.). Most of the local wool is woven into blankets and some is used for making felt or burnus, and native saddles. Very little raw wool leaves the State. The rutting season-is in June and the ewe carries for five months. A sheep yields milk from November to May and generally one pound a day. During the first two months the lambs get the whole milk. They are afterwards allowed half and the rest is either used by the Dhangars or is made into butter. The milk of twenty sheep in four days would yield two pounds of butter worth about Is. (8 as.). Sheep begin to bear when three years old and go on bearing till they are about seven. A good ewe is worth 10s. (Rs. 5), and the average price varies from 3s. to 6s. (Rs.1½ - 3). Sheep are generally killed by Mulanis or Musalman village priests of whom most large villages have one or two families, and the mutton is eaten by all castes except Brahmans, Shenvis, Jains, Lingayats, and Kasars. Durjng the rainy season in the daytime sheep graze in meadows or kurans, or on hill sides, and at night are driven to a coat or pen on some rising ground near the village fenced with a thorn hedge to keep off wolves. When the harvest is over, the cultivators engage flocks of sheep and goats to graze on their rice and garden lands. So valuable are their droppings as manure that the herdsmen are usually paid forty to eighty pounds of grain for 400 sheep for one night. Sheep at times suffer grievously from diseases much like the rinderpest and the foot and mouth disease among cattle. They also suffer from small-pox. Allowing for accidents a flock of 100 sheep, fairly cared for, increases 25 or 30 per cent every year. A considerable number of sheep go to Poona and Bombay. Some Marathas and Musalmans rear fighting rams, which are specially fed on gram or millet and when young their horns are drawn out two or three times by pouring oil and redlead over them. A good fighting ram costs as much as £1 10s. (Rs. 15).

Goats.

There are two kinds of goats, kui or white and khadki or local. The white goat gives two to four pints of milk a day and costs 4s. to 16s. (Rs. 2 - 8). The local goat gives a half to one pint of milk and costs 2s. to 6s. (Rs. 1-3). Goat's flesh is eaten by all castes who eat mutton. He-goats are castrated and used to draw children's carts. A well trained he-goat is worth £1 (Rs. 10).

Camels.

Camels are reared by Musalmans and used for riding and baggage carrying and by the State for commissariat and riding purposes. Their price ranges from £4 to £12 10s. (Rs.40-125). They are usually fed on gram and grass and on the leaves of the nimb, babhul, and other trees. Salt is given them when hardworked or over worked. The milk is used by Musalmaus. A baggage camel carries 480 pounds and a riding camel trots forty to fifty miles in a day. The monthly cost of a camel's keep is about £1 (Rs. 10).

Cattle-keeping.

To estimate the profits of keeping cows and buffaloes a term of two years must be taken as a cow calves only every second year. The cost of keeping a herd of fifty cows for two years may be estimated at about £165 6s. (Rs.1653) of which about £90 (Rs. 900) are for cut grass, £20 (Rs. 200) for grazing fees, and £37 10s. (Rs. 375) for oil-cake and bran. Of the rest about £16 16s. (Rs. 168) is for the cowherd and a boy and £1 (Rs.10) for gear. [The details are: Under cut grass for sixteen months at 7½ bundles or pulis a day for each cow 11,250 bundles a month or 180,000 bundles for the sixteen months; this at Rs. 5 the thousand gives a total expenditure on grass of Rs. 900; grazing during the four rainy months or eight months in all at 8 as. a month for each cow amounts to Rs. 200; oil cake and bran for eight months at half an anna a day for each cow Rs. 375; pay of a cowherd at Rs. 4 a month for two years Rs. 96; a boy on Rs. 3 a month for two years Rs. 72; ropes, pegs, and other gear Rs. 10; that is a total cost of Rs. 1653.]

Earnings.

The earnings may be brought under the three heads of milk, manure, and calves. Cows continue to give milk six to eight months after calving, and during those months the quantity steadily decreases. The daily yield of milk and the time during which the milk lasts vary in the different breeds of cows. The estimate is therefore complicated.  The result is during the eight months a yield of 22,020 shers or 32,532 pints worth £1694). (Rs. 1694). [The details are:

Fifty Cows for Two Years.- Yield of Milk.

The details are: For fuel cakes ¼ anna a day for each cow or Rs. 562 for the fifty cows half of which goes to pay for the labour. For manure fifty cows in two years will yield 480 carts which at 8 as. a cart is Rs. 240.] Under the head of manure the profit in the two years is estimated at about £28 (Rs. 280) if the dung is made into fuel cakes, and at about £24 (Rs. 240) if it is used as manure. The [The details under calves are: Fifty calves are born of which ten or one-fifth die. Of the forty calves who live twenty are stirks worth Rs. 6 each and twenty are heifers worth Rs. 5 each or a total value of Rs. 220. The expenses are grass for the forty calves for three months at two bundles a day for each calf 7200 bundles which at Rs. 5 the thousand bundles gives Rs. 36; during the next three months at four bundles a day 14,400 bundles costing Rs. 72; and during the next three months at five bundles a day 18,000 bundles costing Rs. 90, or a total charge of Rs. 198.] calves of the fifty cows are estimated to yield £22 (Rs. 220) and the cost of keeping them amounts to about £19 16s. (Rs. 198) that is a balance of profit of £2 4s. (Rs.22). The total receipts under the three heads are, under milk £169 8s. (Rs. 1694), under manure £26 (Rs. 260), and under calves £2 4s. (Rs. 22), or a total of £197 12s. (Rs. 1976). This, after deducting £165 6s. (Rs. 1653) the cost of keeping, leaves a profit on the fifty cows of £32 6s. (Rs. 323) or at the rate of 6s. 6d. (Rs. 3¼) a year on each cow.

The corresponding estimates for a herd of fifty buffaloes are [The details, are: Under expenses dry grass for sixteen months at fifteen bundles a day for each animal 750 bundles a day or 360,000 bundles in all at Rs. 5 the thousand bundles Rs. 1800; grazing for eight months at Rel. a month for each buffalo Rs.'400; boiled millet or bajri for one month after calving ½ sher a day to each buffalo at 4 pailis the rupee, Rs. 47; oilcake and bran to 15 buffaloes one anna a day for one year Rs. 337, to 15 buffaloes ¾a. a day Rs. 253, and to twenty buffaloes half an anna a day Rs. 225, that is a total cost of keep Rs. 3062. Wages amount to Rs. 240 including a buffalo-keeper at Rs. 4 a month and two boys at Rs. 3 each. Ropes and other charges come to about Rs. 15. Under the head of receipts it is estimated that the herd of tifty buffaloes will yield (62,775 shers of milk which at 13 shers the rupee amounts to Ks. 4829). The details are:

Fifty Buffaloes for Two Years: Yield of Milk.

The Rs. 530 for dung is calculated midway between Ks. 560 the estimated value in tons if the dung was made into cakes, and Ks. 480 in country parts where the dang would be used entirely for manure. The Rs. 47 under calves is the balance between Rs, 195 the estimated value of the calves and Rs. 148 the cost of keepir them. The details of value are: Of fifty calves twenty die. Of the rest fifteen are male worth Rs. 5 each and fifteen female worth Ks. 8 each. The details of keep a Grass for the second three months at two bundles each a day at Rs. 5 a thousand Rs. 27; grass for the third three months at four bundles a day Rs. 54; and grass f the fourth three months at five bundles a day Rs. 67½. ] under expenses about £330 (Rs. 3300), and under receipts milk £480 (Rs. 4800), manure about £50 10s. (Rs. 505), and calves £4 10s. (Rs. 45) or a total income of £535 (Rs. 5350), that is a total balance of £205 (Rs. 2050) or at the rate of about £2 (Rs. 20) a year on each buffalo.

Sheep pay well as the wool is in good demand, and the older animals can he readily sold to the butcher. The [The details are: Waste land taken for pasturing sheep assessed at Rs. and Rs. 5 for babhul pods Rs. 15; one shepherd for twelve months Rs. 15; one assistant for twelve months Rs. 10; two kamblis at Rs. 2 each; two pairs of she at Re. 1 each, two turbans at 12 as. each, and four langotis at 2 as. each Rs. feeding to shepherds for twelve months at Rs. 1½ per month for each Rs. 36; paaidis of salt and two pailis of jvari for sheep during the year Re, 1; that is a to expense of Rs. 85.] estimated yearly cost of a flock of one hundred sheep, allowing £1 (Rs. 10) for grazing, 10s. (Rs. 5) for babhul pods, and,£7 (Rs. 70) for the wages and keep of a shepherd and a boy, amount to £8 10s. (Rs. 85). The return under wool is estimated at £1 8.s. (Rs. 11), under lambs at £8 10s. (Rs.85). and under manure at £2 5s. (Rs.22.½), that is a profit on the hundred sheep of £'3 13s. (Rs.36½). The profit to a sheep owner or his son who was also the shepherd would according to the same estimates amount to £10 10s. (Rs. 105). In some villages sheep are tended by contract under an arrangement that for every hundred sheep delivered to the shepherd be should replace any sheep that die and increase the flock by twenty-five lambs.

Horses.

Horses are returned at 5583. Except the State horses and those kept by a few of the gentry which are imported, persians Arabs and Australians, the greater number are mere ponies. The State stud includes twenty-five excellent broodmares, and some proprietors grant-holders and village heads also own good breeding mares. Stallions are kept by the State for the use of their own and other mares. During the last seven years the State stallions covered eighty-six mares. The climate though not specially favourable is not unsuited for horse-breeding, and the State authorities hope to do more to improve the breed by adding to their stud and by establishing a yearly show. The current average price of local or Kolhapur bred horses varies from £710s. to £20 (Rs.75-200) and averages about £1210s. (Rs. 125). Ponies vary from £1 to £6 (Rs. 10-60) and average £2 10s. to £4 (Rs. 25-40). The corresponding figures given by Major Graham show that the price of horses has not risen, but that ponies are dearer and scarcer than they were in 1853. The less valuable horses and ponies when out of work are left to feed as they can near villages on the boundaries of fields and in pasture lands. When in work they are given a small daily allowance of grain. Animals of the better class are fed on grass, millet stalks, gram,' and millet. After hard work or when an animal is out of condition it is given a mess of flour and molasses; clarified butter and spices or masala are also given in the cold weather. The monthly cost of a horse's keep varies from £1 to £2 (Rs. 10-20).

Asses.

Asses are found all over Kolhapur. They are reared by Lonaris, Vadars, Ghisadis, Dombaris, potters, and washermen, who use them to carry clay, bricks, fuel, clothes, and grain. A donkey costs £1 to £2 (Rs. 10 - 20). They are generally left to pick their food as they can.

Poultry.

Fowls are reared in large quantities by all castes except Brahmans Lingayats and Jains. They are of two varieties pegu and khadki. A hen varies in price from 6d. to 1s. 6d. (4- 12 as.), and a pegu or fighting cock fetches as much as 4s. (Rs. 2). Eggs cost 2d. to 3d. (1?-2 as.) the dozen. None of the local flesh-eating classes object to eat fowls. Ducks, turkeys, and pea and guineafowls are not reared in Kolhapur, and are seldom seen, except a few which are brought from Groa and the neighbouring British districts for the use of European residents. Numbers of tame pig are seen about the eastern villages. They are owned and eaten by Vadars and Korvis, who leave them to pick up any garbage they can.

Cats and Dogs.

Cats and Dogs most of them ownerless abound in every village. Some of the higher Maratha families keep foreign dogs for hunting. Shepherds have sheep dogs and Vadars, Korvis, and Haran Shikaris have dogs who help them to catch hares and other small game.

WILD ANIMALS.

Formerly large game was common in the Sahyadris and the west parts of the leading spurs. The increase of population and the spread of tillage have reduced their numbers, but tigers and panthers still find shelter in Western Kolhapur.

Tigers.

The Tiger patait vagh Felis tigris is found in the hills of Mhasrang, Megholi, Phayachakap, Bakryachadang, Patyachadang and Kolik in Bhudargad; in Vashi and Barki in Panhala; and in Yelvan-Jungai, Chandel, and Udgiri in Vishalgad. About two tigers on an average are slain every year. During the five years ending 1881 the returns show a loss by tigers of 83 human beings and 2138 cattle.

Leopards

The Leopard dahanya vagh Felis jubata, that is the spotted tiger, is said to be occasionally found and to be more dreaded than the tiger.

Panthers.

Panthers biblya Felis pardus are said to be of three kinds two large and one small. One of the large kinds called karanjya is said to be specially dangerous. It is found only in the thick forests of Bhudargad. The other large panther known as tendva is more common occurring in the forests and hills of Bhudargad, Panhala, and Malkapur. The small or Dog Panther known as khadki or bimbta not unfrequently enters villages and carries off dogs cats and even returns for the five years ending 1881 show that about forty-one panthers were killed. The Hunting Leopard chitu is rare.

Cats.

Three varieties of Wild Oats occur, Pelis chaus ran manjar or the jungle cat, Paradoxurus musanga kavali manjar or the tiled cat, and Viverra malaccensis javadi manjar or the civet cat. The ran manjar is found all over the State. The kavali manjar has a thick coating of fur like small pieces of tiles, which is said to be proof against a sword or spear-cut. The civet cat javadi manjar, is valued for its civet or kasturi. The kavali and javadi are rare occurring only in the thick forests in and near the Sahyadris.

Hyaena.

The Hyaena taras Hyaena striata is fairly common in all hills and forests. It is generally found in holes or bushes in broken ground.

Wolf.

The Wolf landga Canis pallipes, is found in the plain country. Wolves generally hunt in packs of five or six and carry off sheep and goats at night. They seldom attack human beings but sometimes carry off young children. Some years ago a man was killed by wolves in Karvir.

Jackal.

 The Jackal kolha Canis aureus, and the Fox khokad "Vulpes bengalensis are common in the open east. 

Wild Dog.  

The Wild Dog kolsunda Cuon rutilans is found in Bhudargad and other hill parts generally in packs of twenty-five or thirty.

Bears.

The Indian Black Bear asval Ursus labiatus is occasionally found in Bakryachadang in Bhudargad and in Morayachakoda near Bavda and in Udgiri in Vishalgad. During the day he lives in rocks and ravines and at night comes into the plains to feed on honeycombs and moha flowers of which he is very fond. He also feeds on ants and insects. He seldom attacks man unprovoked, and does no injury to cattle.

Boars.

The Wild Boar dukar Sus indicus is found in the hill parts of Bhudargad, Panhala, Malkapur, and Torgal. They generally come out at night in herds and ravage the neighbouring crops. Boar-hunting with the gun or spear is a favourite sport among the Marathas, and with the help of their dogs the Vadars spear them on foot.

Bison.

The Bison gau Gavaeus guarus is found in the Barki, Vasi, Patyachadang and Udgiri hills. Marathas hold the bison to be a bull and few of them will shoot him. The Stag sambar Rusa aristotelis is found in all the hill tracts except in Bhudargad where it is rare. The Spotted Deer chital Axis maculatus is found in the forests and hills of Vasundi and Aduli in Bhudargad and of Kaljavde, Pisatri, and Manvad in Panhala. Of Bhekar Cervulus aureus there are three kinds. The khatkati bhekar has horns like the stag and gets his name from knocking them against the trees. He is said to use his long teeth or tusks when attacked by dogs. The four-horned bhekar, though rare, is sometimes seen in the Bhudargad forests; the Malsade bhekar is commonly found among thin brushwood. The Indian Antelope kalvit Antelope bezoartica moves in bands of five to ten in the open parts of Raybag, Shirol and Datvad.

Of smaller animals the Hare sasa Lepus ruficaudatus is found in all parts of the State. Hares jackals and foxes in the small hills round Kolhapur and Panhala give excellent coursing which is a favourite amusement with the higher Maratha families.

Hares.

There is no special establishment for destroying wild animals. Rewards are granted at the following rates: for a large tiger £2 8s. (Its. 24), for a middle sized tiger £1 is. (Its. 12), and for a small tiger 12s. (Its. 6); for panthers the rates are one-half of the' tiger rates, and 8s. (Rs. 4) is the reward for a wolf.

Monkeys.

Monkeys, both makads and vanars, are found in large numbers all over the State. The vdnar the larger and more powerful animal is generally seen near villages while the makad prefers forests and lonely places. Out of respect to Hanuman the monkey-god the people suffer with patience the mischief done by these animals in their gardens. They seldom attack men but are said to threaten children and women and take from them any eatables they may be carrying.

SNAKES.

The hilly parts of Kolhapur especially Bavda, Vishalgad, and Bhudargad are more or less infested with snakes both poisonous and harmless. During the five years ending 1881 sixty-one deaths from snake bites were recorded, of which eighteen were in 1877, seven in 1878, twelve in 1879, ten in 1880, and fourteen in 1881. There are no professional snake-charmers among the regular inhabitants, but a husbandman or a Brahman is sometimes found clever in catching and handling snakes. Some village doctors profess to know herbs and roots that cure snake bite. Among the snakes found in Kolhapur are: Of Pythonidae, the Indian Python ar Python molurus is occasionally seen in the thick forests and groves near the Sahyadri hills. They are caught and shown by professional charmers of the Dombari caste. Pythons are believed to be able to squeeze to death men and cattle. Of Erycidae the Black Sand Snake datonda Eryx johnii or a closely allied species, the Red Sand Snake Gongylophis conicus is found throughout the State. It is generally harmless. Of Colubridae the Rock Snake dhaman or adhela Ptyas mucosus, is found throughout the State. Its bite is admitted to be harmless but they are believed to cause injury by blows of the tail. It is also said to twist itself round the legs. of cattle and suck their milk. The Checkered Snake pan divad Tropidonotus quincunciatus usually known as virola is found in wells, ponds, and rivers, living on frogs and small fish. It is two to four feet long and harmless. Of Driophidae the Common Green Tree or Whip Snake sarptoli Passerita mycterizans is occasionally found all over the State. It is believed to be poisonous and to attack the eyes of any one who passes under its tree.

Two kinds of manyar are known, one is called manyar and the other aghi or the burning manyar. Both are considered poisonous. The cobra nag Naja tripudians is found everywhere and is considered more venomous than any snake except perhaps the phursa Echis carinata. It is worshipped by all classes of Hindus on the Cobra's Fifth or Nagpanchmi Day which falls in August. Persons who have left hidden treasures are believed to come back after death in the form of cobras and guard the hoard. Of Viperidas the poisonous Chain Viper ghonas or kanrdar Daboia elegans is found in the hills. The poison of the ghonas, the pharad, and the mahamdol, acts much slower than cobra poison. The phursa Eehis carinata the most feared of all snakes is generally found under rocks and boulders in the hilly west. Like the ghonas the phurm's poison acts slowly destroying the blood which oozes through the skin and the victim dies a painful and lingering death. A reward of 3d. (2 as.) is given for a cobra and of ¾d. (½a.) for other poisonous snakes.

FISH.

The fisheries of the State are of little importance. The chief kinds of fish are tambar, parag, masil, khirit, kolsi, air, vamb, maral, mhaska otherwise called mangsha, vayandi or muni, fakri, vanji, chikali, valsivda, bobari, muranga phunkut, shengala, kharab, dokara, khavli, gerya, muli, ghogara, kachki, alkut, khavalchor, ichka, kurdu, zinga, kadui, and tokali. Of these fish the maral and vamb or eel are much sought after. In the Krishna masil and khirit are sometimes found 4½ feet long 2½ feet broad and weighing nearly seventy pounds. Besides in the Krishna fish are found in the pools of the Panchganga, Varna, Hiranyakeshi, Dudhganga, and Vedganga. Alligators and turtles are found in the larger streams, and freshwater crabs in the banks of rivers. The only local class of professional fishers are the Bhois who number 1756. They use casting and drag nets. When they go fishing they generally start in the early morning and come home about three or four. The women and old men then carry the fish to the market or hawk them from door to door. A fisher's earnings are small from 3d. to 6d. (2-4 as.) a day. The Rankala, Padmala. Ravaneshvar, Kotitirth, and other big ponds round Kolhapur abound in fish which are preserved for palace use. There is no local fish-curing but considerable quantities of salt and dry fish are brought from Ratndgiri and Goa.

BIRDS.

Most of the birds given by Captain E. A. Butler in his catalogue of the Birds of the Deccan and Southern Maratha Country are found in Kolhapur.