FROM PATNA TO DARJEELING, 279 
Soane pebbles, and they assist in the identification of these flanking hills 
with those of the latter river, 
Again, near the hills, the features of interest are very numerous, 
whether as regards the human race or other branches of Natural His- 
tory. The neighbouring mountains of Curruckpore, which are a por- 
tion of the Rajmahal and Paras-Nath range, are peopled by tribes 
representing the earliest races of India, prior to the invasion of young 
Rama, prince of Oude, who spread Brahminism with his conquests, and 
won the hand of king Jurunk’s daughter, Sita*, by bending her father’s 
bow. These people are the Jungle-terry tribes, a middle-sized, 
strong, very black, and black-haired race, with thick lips. The Koles, 
as they are also called, have no vocation but aea iron from the 
soil, which occurs abundantly in nodules. ey eat flesh, whether 
killed by themselves, or that of animals which have por a natural death, 
and mix with Hindoos, but not with Mussulmen here are other 
tribes, vestiges of the Tamulian race, differing somewhat in their 
rites from these, and approaching, in dad habits, more to Hindoos ; 
but all are timorous with strangers, and segregate themselves from both 
Europeans and natives of the plains 
The hill-rangers, or Bhaugulpore-rangers, are a local corps, all na- - 
tives of the Rajmahal hills, maintained by the Company for the protec- 
tion of the district. For many years these hill-men were employed in 
predatory excursions, which, owing to the nature of the country, were 
checked with great difficulty. The plan was therefore conceived, by an 
into a military force, for the protection of the country from invasions of | 
their own tribes; and this scheme has answered perfectly. : 
To me the mosi interesting object in Bhaugulpore was the Horticul- 
tural Gardens, whose origin and flourishing condition are due to the 
activity and enterprise of Major Napleton, commanding the hill-rangers. 
The site is remarkably good, consisting of fifteen acres, that were, four . 
years ago, an indigo-field, but now a really smiling garden. - About 
fifty men are employed; and the number of seeds and vegetables, annu- 
ally distributed, is very great. Of the trees, used for shade and for 
ornament, the most conspicuous are the Tamarind (of which one superb 
specimen stands conspicuous near the seed-room,) Tecoma jasminoides, 
* Sita was afterwards carried off by the giant Rawun, but rescued by Rama, and 
required to purify at Sita-kund. 
