is a

while unrefined, are sold under the name of cherrus. The clarrified cherrus is called mômea (from its resemblance to wax), and burns with the brightness of a resinous flame. Its gum most potent narcotic, possessing very valuable medical qualities. The grosser products of the plant are called Gunja and Bharq or Subje, the former being a preparation of flowers and the latter of the leaves. From the hemp, the Newars of Nepaul fabricate some coarse linen and also a very strong kind of sackcloth. Spikenard (juttemasi) and gentian are to be added to the drugs of Nepaul.

The mountainous parts of Nepaul are rich in mines of iron and copper. The produce of the former is smelted in other hills than those where the ore is found. The copper is of a very superior kind, and before the opening of a trade between England and India was preferred for consumption in the territories of the King of Oude to that exported from this country. Its supercession by the European produce, doubtless arose from the difficulty and expense of

VOL. I.

E

transportation through a mountainous tract, having no navigable rivers, and the ignorance of the Nepaulese in the arts of mineralogy and metallurgy. Lead mines, yielding also a proportion of silver, are to be found in Moulkote, and it is supposed that there are gold mines to the north, though as yet no traces of gold have been discovered excepting in the beds of the torrent which rush through Kachar to the eastward. The recent discoveries of extensive mines in Australia and California may, perhaps, lead to a geological comparison in view to the determination of the extent of the mineral wealth of Nepaul; but as this is a matter of less interest to ourselves than to the Nepaulese, it is unnecessary to go into speculation as to the probable results of research. The western parts of Nepaul abound in arsenic and pyrites, marble, jasper, chrystal, limestone, slate, &c., and the beds of the streams which spring from the south face of Koomhara mountain are strewed with huge blocks of talc of two or three kinds, the most esteemed of which is the Koushnocbruik or black talc.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ANIMALS OF NEPAUL; WITH SOME NARRATIVES OF SPORT IN THE FOREST.

THE animal kingdom of Nepaul seems to comprehend all the classes, quadrupedal and bipedal, to be found in the plains and mountains of Hindostan, only qualified by climate and situation. The low and level lands abound with elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, &c. ; the hilly portions, with bears, deer, of every variety, and a great many of the finest members of the feathered creation.

The domestic cattle of Nepaul, generally speaking, do not seem much superior to those ordinarily indigenous to Bengal and the Upper Provinces; but it is otherwise with regard to the native horses. It is true that they are but little distinguished in respect to size; yet they appear very strong and plump, and exhibit a greater variety, in point of colour, than is usually seen in the lower parts of India.*

The cows, though very good-looking, would differ considerably in comparison with our English cattle. Their milk, however, is not surpassed for sweetness or richness by any in the world. Besides the above, are the kustoora, or musk-deer, a native of Cachar, or Lower Thibet, commonly met with in Nepaul; the chowry (known in Hindostan by the name of soori-ghae); the chaugra, or shawl-goat; sheep of all kinds; and a peculiar dog. This dog, which is known in Bengal by the name of the

*Perhaps the most extraordinary is a pony called the hubshee, from the strong resemblance of its coat to a curly-headed negro.

Nepaul dog, is, properly speaking, a native of the Upper and Lower Thibets, whence it is usually brought to Nepaul. It is a fierce and surly creature, about the size of an English Newfoundland, and covered with thick long hair. It is reckoned to be a good watch-dog, and never to sleep at night. The tanguns, or tanyans, so much esteemed in India for their hardiness, come entirely from Upper Thibet; and, notwithstanding their make, are so sure-footed that the people of Nepaul ride them without fear over very deep mountains and along the brink of the deepest precipice.

Of the birds, the principal are the chuckore, moonal, and damphia, the last two belong to the pheasant tribe; and the chuckore is well known by the name of the fire-eater. It is a species of partridge, bigger than the redgrouse, and derives its name from its fondness for red pepper and its reputed power of swallowing fire. The calidge, cyrus, ortolan, wildgoose, wild-duck, and several other species of the feathered tribe, common to Bengal and the