THE MAIIABEO HILLS. 97 



by the rain. The principal grains are Kodon {Paspalum), 

 Kutki (Panicum), and coarse rice. But nearly all the 

 ordinary crops raised in the plains during the autumn season 

 are also grown more or less in these dhya clearings, as they 

 are called, though usually from greatly degenerate seed, the 

 produce of which is often scarcely recognizable as the same 

 species. A few pumpkins and creeping beans are usually 

 grown about the houses in addition to the dhya crop. Such 

 is the fertilising power of the ashes that the crop is generally 

 a very productive one, though the individual grains are far 

 smaller than the same species as cultivated in the plains. A 

 fence against wild animals is made round the clearing by 

 cutting trees so as to fall over and interlace with each other, 

 the whole being strongly bound with split bamboos and 

 thorny bushes. The second year the dead trees and half- 

 burnt branches are again ignited, and fresh wood is cut and 

 brought from the adjoining jungle, and the same process is 

 repeated. The third year the clearing is usually abandoned 

 for a fresh one. Sometimes the owner of a dhya will watch at 

 night on a platform in the middle of the field and endeavour 

 to save it from wild animals, but oftener he does not think 

 it worth the labor, and lets it take its chance till ripe, while 

 he earns his livelihood in some other way. 



The dhya clearings are of course favourite resorts for all 

 the animals of the neighbourhood. The smaller species of 

 these peafowl, partridges, hares, &c, are often trapped in 

 ingenious " deadfall " traps set in runs left open on purpose ; 

 and the larger are frequently shot by the sportsmen of the com- 

 munity. None of the G6nds of the Central Hills now use the 

 bow and arrow; but few villages are without their professional 

 hunter, who is generally a capital shot with his long heavy 

 matchlock, and as patient as a cat in watching for game.- He 



