to the Jagheerdar, as it requires considerable labour, and yields after all no very profitable grains. The Kaith or plantation lands are of the first quality, being well watered by springs and rivulets. They have a rich soil, and yield, with moderate labour, all the superior kinds of grain. They are principally situated in the valleys, the lowest of which are, generally speaking, the most fertile; but they are not uncommon even in the higher lands, some of which are abundantly supplied with water.

The principal rivers which traverse the Nepaul territory, are the Bhagmutty, Bukkia, Jumni, Billye or Billarie, Sukkati or Sukti, Kurroo, Rapti, Boori, Gunduck, Zillaive, Baharanuddee, Dohar, Gadh or Gadhi, Sunghirja, Nagrote, Becheacori, and some smaller streams. Those in and about the valley of Nepaul, are the Bishenmuttee, Dhobeekola, Munohia, Hummunta, and the Kushni Kushen.

CHAPTER III.

CLIMATE AND PRODUCTION OF NEPAUL.

THE height of Nepaul above the level of the sea is about four thousand feet. The thermometer, notwithstanding this height, ranges to 87 degrees. Its usual height, about noon, varies from 81° to 84°. A little after sunrise, it stands between 50° and 54°, but it is occasionally as low as 47°. At nine in the morning, it fluctuates from 62° to 66°.

temperature in March is 67°.

The seasons of Nepaul are pretty

The mean

nearly the

same as those of Upper Hindostan. The rains ommence a little earlier, say in the month.

of May, and set in from the S.E. quarter; they are usually very abundant, and break up towards the middle of October.

In describing the climate of Nepaul, we ought not to confine ourselves to the valley, since by a journey of three or four days one may actually exchange a heat equal to that of Bengal for the cold of Russia, by barely moving from Nyakote to Khuroo, or over to Rancha. Few would seek a finer climate in winter than that of Chittlong, or in summer, a more elastic and sharper air than is to be breathed on the tops of the summit of Chandragheery. Not only are the tops of the surrounding mountains sprinkled with snow for several days together during the winter, but it even sometimes falls in the valley below. A hoar frost too, at this season very commonly covers the ground; but though the cold is occasionally for three or four months severe enough to congeal the tanks and pools of standing water, yet the rivers are never frozen. With respect to the salubrity of the non-elevated vallies and situations, it would

seem to be abundantly proclaimed in the general looks of the inhabitants, among whom, if the Newar peasantry take the lead in point of robustness, it is to be attributed to their laborious, but invigorating occupation.

The exceeding jealousy with which, in imitation of their Chinese neighbours, the Nepaulese have regarded the visits of intelligent and enquiring Europeans to the interior of the country has made it difficult to obtain accurate information respecting the wealth of the vegetable and mineral kingdoms; and but for the advantages enjoyed by Mr. B. Hodgson, when British resident at Khatmandoo, in indulging his passion for Natural History, we might have remained in ignorance of the extent of the animal kingdom. Father Giuseppe, who published an account of Nepaul, in the Asiatic Researches, is nearly silent on this topic, and Colonel Kirkpatrick's investigations, during his journey to the capital, are somewhat limited. From such sources, however, as are available to us we gather the following facts.

In a previous page, mention has been made of the enormous fruit trees which are to be found in the Terai. In addition to the Saul, and the Bechiaconri pine, are to be found the Sissoo, the Setti-saul, the Phullamikal, (an iron wood) the Kalikset, (a sort of black wood), the Sajk, the Burra, the Sunni, and the Moolta. Besides this, there is a small quantity of ebony. These woods constitute in a great measure the commercial wealth of Nepaul. Wood merchants congregate at the southernmost point of the forest near the river Gunduck because of the facility presented by that river of floating the timber to Calcutta. Some of the woods, the Dubdubea, for example, a sort of ash, abounding in the Terai which is a powerful astringent, and constitutes an article of trade. called in Nepaul, Sulla and Dhoobkee (on account of its

is chiefly consumed at home.

The Bechiacori, Surrendhool, or resinous quality) Its branches are

used as torches: the fragrant turpentine which it yields is employed in sacrifices, and in medicated salves, and its wood is converted into