THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. 19 
prepared for the reception of the latter. On account both of the climate and the 
facilities for irrigation, rice is generally cultivated in the valleys, though not restricted 
to them; particularly the variety which does not require irrigation, as this is sown at 
elevations of five thousand feet on the terraced flats of the mountain side, where, as 
soon as the wheat is ripe, the ears are merely picked off, the straw burnt on the ground 
for manure, and the rice sown immediately after the first shower of rain, of which there 
are generally some falls in the months of April and May. Maize, millet, Lleusine 
coracana, and many of the other small grains, constitute, as in the plains, the rain 
crop; together with species of Amaranthus, Polygonum, and an Arum, of which the root 
is much in use as the ordinary food of the hill people. Capsicum, turmeric, and ginger, 
the last as high as four thousand feet, are also cultivated, and form articles of export to 
the plains. Mr. Traill describes the little cotton that is produced in Kemaon, as ‘ su- 
perior to that of the plains in softness of texture, gloss of colour, and length of fibre.” 
Hemp is also cultivated, of excellent quality for the manufacture of both cloth and 
cordage. The cold weather cultivation of moderate, and the only one of higher 
elevations, consists chiefly of wheat, barley, buckwheat, peas, opium, and a little 
tobacco: the last only in small quantities, but the opium of very superior quality. As 
few of the villages extend above this central belt, so is there little cultivation to be found 
beyond it. I have not myself seen wheat and barley at a greater elevation than eight 
thousand feet on the sides of Urukta, and higher on this than on Choor, a more exterior 
mountain; but no where have I seen finer crops than at seven thousand feet on the 
shoulders of the latter. Mr. Gerard has seen wheat at ten thousand feet, and Captain | 
Webb at twelve thousand feet of elevation, still on the southern slope of the Himalaya; 
but these being included within the limits of a higher belt, will be afterwards considered. 
The mustard tribe is also cultivated as oil seeds, which is also afforded in large 
quantities, of a very fine quality, by the kernels of the apricot at the highest villages. 
It may not be uninteresting to remark, that at some of these, where fodder is with 
difficulty or not at ali to be procured in the winter months, the cattle are fed upon the 
leaves of trees which have been stacked for that purpose in the autumn. The kinds 
preferred are species of Grewia, Ulmus, and Quercus ; but those of the Conifere are also 
employed: first, as bedding for their cattle, and afterwards as manure for their fields. 
Since the introduction of the potatoe its cultivation has been much increased, and the 
quality, which had deteriorated, much improved by renewing the stock from seed. It 
is fortunate, both for growers and consumers, that the Hill potatoes are not ready until 
those cultivated in the plains are either spoilt or expended. 
The animal forms which are associated with the foregoing vegetation display alike 
the powerful influence of climate and the admixture of European with Tropical forms. 
Of the monkeys, the Entel/us alone ascends in the summer months as high as nine 
thousand feet, where may also be seen one of the Scitaminee, which, though not entirely 
agreeing with the generic character, I have called Roscoea alpina: but this makes its 
appearance only with the first showers, while its tubers, as well by the depth to 
D2 which 
