a kingdom of India, on this side the Ganges, upon the coast of Malabar. It is about 63 miles long, and as much broad. It has many woods, rivers, and marshes, and is very populous; but does not produce much corn, abundance of rice being imported from Canara. The land along the sea-coast is low and sandy, and produces a number of cocoa trees. The higher grounds produce pepper and cardamoms of a very good quality. They have likewise timber for building, white and yellow sanders, cassis lignea, caffia fistula, nux vomica, and cocculus indicus. The woods abound with parrots and monkeys, as well as different kinds of game. They have also plenty of fish, several sorts of medicinal drugs, and their mountains produce iron. The famorin, or king, of Calicut, was once master of all the coast of Malabar; but at his death, he left it by will among four of his nephews. He who governs Calicut has a palace of stone, and there is some appearance of grandeur about his court. He carries on a considerable trade, which makes the people of Calicut richer than their neighbours. In former times they had several strange customs, some of which are still kept up; particularly the famorin's wife must be first enjoyed by the high-priest, who may have her three nights if he pleases. The nobles permit the other priests to take the same liberty, but the lower people cannot have that honour. A woman may marry a number of husbands; each of whom has her ten days or more by turns, as they agree among themselves; and provide her all things necessary during that time. When she proves with child, the names the father: who, after the child is weaned, takes care of its education. These people have no pens, ink, or paper; but write with a bodkin on flags that grow by the sides of the rivers. By this means the letters are in some sense engraved; and so tough are the flags, that they will last for a great number of years. This was the first land discovered by the Portuguese in 1498.

a town of Asia, in the kingdom of that name on the coast of Malabar. It contains a great number of mean low houses, each of which has a garden. The English had a factory here, but it is removed to Tellicherry. E. Long. 76. 4. N. Lat. 11. 21.