276 C^PT. Franklin's Memoir on Bundelkhwid. 



The Kaimiir hills do not belong to Bundelkhund, but they run parallel to 

 the other ranges, and therefore may not improperly be mentioned here. In 

 Baghelkhand they are called Kaimur hills ; in Berar the T'hamian hills ; 

 and afterwards the Vindhya* mountains. 



FORESTS, JUNGLES, &C. 



There are no forests in Bundelkhund, nor any timber which could be 

 turned to use on an enlarged scale ; the jungle of the low lands, of which, 

 indeed, there is too much, particularly in the native states, consists generally 

 of the wild jujube (Zizi/phus jnjuba), and wild carandas {Carissa C), with 

 a considerable proportion of gigantic swallow-wort {Asclepias gigantea), 

 and other brushwood, which is convertible into no other use than to burn as 

 manure or fuel: but the jungle of the hills is more useful. The bamboo is 

 plentiful ; the teak is here and there found of a small size ; and, generally 

 speaking, almost every kind of timber common to India is found, of a dimi- 

 nutive growth. Perhaps the most valuable productions of these hills, after 

 their diamonds, iron, and bamboos, are drugs, gums, the chironjia nut, and 

 catechu extract, the produce of the mimosa catechu, which grows here in 

 great abundance. 



The preparation of catechu, from its great simplicity, deserves to be 

 noticed. At the season when the sap flows most copiously, a few Gonds 

 take up their temporary residence in some solitary glen, where the khair tree 

 (Jchadira) abounds. All the implements they require are a hatchet, a few 

 earthen pots, and the convenience of water. The tree, after being felled, 

 is barked and chipped whilst the sap is flowing ; and in the mean time the 

 earthen pots, half filled with water, are ranged in rows over fires ; the chips, 

 as soon as cut, are thrown into the water, and boiled until the inspissated 

 juice acquires a proper consistency ; the liquor is then strained, and suffered 

 to cool ; and it soon coagulates into a mass, which is the catechu, the quality 

 of which depends very much upon the freshness of the tree from which it is 

 obtained. 



* This is the same name with the Dhidhyiichal or Dinddchal before mentioned. Vindhya is the 

 tropical zone of mountains across India. Tliis mountainous tract comprises several ranges nearly 

 parallel. Those whicli face the north and south are particularly known by the general appellation. 

 The intermediate have discriminative denominations. — Ed. 



