in the Lower Valley of the Indus and Cutchi. 37 
tan; they seem to have acquired the vices both of the barba- 
rity on the one side, and the civilization on the other, without 
the virtues of either. 
The Biltichis are addicted to the use of spiritous liquors, 
and the intoxicating seed of the hemp plant, or Bang. They 
do not, however, carry these to the effect of downright ine- 
briety, but induce a certain degree of stupidity, which may 
be analogous to that so much coveted by the opium eater. 
The pipe, with both sexes, is scarcely ever from the mouth. 
They are, as may be supposed, indolent and lazy, leaving la- 
bour of every kind to the Jutts, and other working classes. 
The language of the Bilachis is different from that of 
their neighbours, whether Sindhs, Brahiis, or Affghans ; and, 
in sound, assimilates to bad Persian; so that, as observed by 
Sir H. Pottinger, it is possible to catch the meaning occa- 
sionally by a knowledge of the latter tongue. It is not writ- 
ten, however, and is considered altogether so barbarous even 
in these barbarous countries, that the Bilfichi is said to have 
learnt it of his goats when he was a shepherd in the moun- 
tains. A vocabulary and grammar was formed by Lieut. Leed, 
a highly intelligent officer, which exists in the records of the 
Company. 
Having thus concluded the few observations which he has 
to offer on the Bilachis, as seen by him in the course of a 
residence of 3} years, divided between Upper Sindh and in 
the Cutchi districts,—he only trusts they may be found of 
some trifling interest, though he does not presume for a mo- 
ment to place his rough notes in conjunction with the records 
of those higher authorities whom he has quoted, and who 
should be consulted by all anxious to obtain a more intimate 
acquaintance with a people, over a great number of whom we 
now wield a direct sway, and whose interests may therefore 
be said to be in our keeping. Though the Biltchi has been 
considered an implacable enemy, the author would remark, 
as the result of his experience, that if the interests of these 
people were duly cared for, and sufficient inducements, with a 
conciliatory manner adopted, there is no reason, he thinks, to 
doubt, but they would duly appreciate a change which might 
thus be effected in their condition. But this is a subject 
