TEA OF BISAHAR. 205 



stances ; and it is said that the Chinese troops re- 

 turning from Nepaul were observed to gather the 

 leaves of some shrub near Zigachi, which they used 

 as tea, disposing of their own country tea in ex- 

 change for tobacco. These statements were com- 

 municated to the Bengal government in 1821. 

 However this may be, the subject is of national 

 interest, and well entitled to the fullest investiga- 



tion.* 



* Moorcroft, vol. i. p. 351. 



