134 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



sisted of two nullahs, that, after describing a 

 somewhat tortuous course down the side of a hill, 

 united at its base. The ground on each side was 

 bare, and covered with ' mhowa ' trees,* the 

 sweet, luscious flower of which was now dropping, 

 and a favourite food of j angle-fowl. We stationed 

 ourselves at the bottom of the hill, and had the 

 two nullahs beaten simultaneously towards the 

 point of junction. 



The fowl, as they came skimming down the hill, 

 afforded us pretty shots, but the powder was not 

 very straight, and many birds flew back. 



Whilst encamped at this place, I remember 

 making the only attempt in my life at amateur 

 doctoring which might have been attended with 

 fatal results, but which fortunately for my 

 patient, as well as for myself, turned out a success. 

 My grass-cutter, when out gathering grass for my 



* The * mhowa ' (Bassia Latifolia) is one of the most useful trees in 

 the forests of India. The flower has a fleshy corolla which is decidu- 

 ous, and has a sweet, but somewhat sickly taste and perfume. These 

 luscious flowers are greedily eaten by deer, bears, jungle-fowl, &c. 

 The natives also prize them highly, and distil from them a highly- 

 intoxicating liquor. After the flower has dropped, a large nut, some- 

 what resembling a horse-chestnut, is formed. It grows in bunches, 

 and from these nuts a thick oil is produced, which is used for burning 

 and also in the manufacture of soap. During the flowering season 

 the ground beneath the trees is kept swept scrupulously clean, and 

 free from dead leaves. It is computed that each tree will yield three 

 rupees worth of flowers alone, besides the worth of the nuts for oil. 



