Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India, Volume 2.djvu/262

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EURASIAN
236

Coast into that country that has not got a Sea Coast is therefore called a Coaster. A very rude word."

Speaking in general terms, it may be said that Eurasians are of greater stature, and possess skins of lighter hue than the East Indians, who, as the result of intermarriage with Native Christian women, have reverted in the direction of the Native type.

The Eurasians examined by me at Calicut, nearly all of whom were Roman Catholics, were earning a livelihood in the following capacities: —

Bandsman. Municipal inspector.
Boot-maker. Musician.
Bugler. Petition-writer.
Carpenter. Police constable.
Clerk. Railway guard.
Coffee estate writer. Schoolmaster.
Compositor. Tailor.
Copyist. Tin-smith.
Mechanic. Weaver.

As in Madras, so in Malabar, tattooing is very prevalent among the male members of the community, and the devices are characterised by a predominance of religious emblems and snakes. The following patterns are recorded in my notes: —

Bangle on wrist. Fish
Boat. Flags.
Bird (the Holy Ghost). Flower.
Chalice. Flower and leaves.
Christ crucified. Initials.
Conventional and Ladder.
geometrical designs. Sacred heart.
Cross. Snake encircling forearms.
Cross and crown. Snake coiled round
Cross and heart. fore-arm.
Cross and I.N. R.I. Solomon's seal.
Crossed swords. Steam boat.