BEARS. 3 



gets over the ground much faster than a man can. A 

 horse will soon overtake him on level ground, hut dislikes 

 close quarters with such an uncouth looking object. 



He is nocturnal in his habits, leaving his fastnesses 

 in the rocks about dusk, and, after passing the night 

 foraging in the neighbouring country, returns thereto 

 before sunrise. 



Sometimes, when his rambles take him to distant 

 feeding grounds, he does not get back till the sun is 

 pretty high, and he not unfrequently lies up, in any shady 

 spot he may find convenient, on the way home. In the 

 hot weather the Mhowa* tree sheds its flowers, of which 

 bears are particularly fond, and they then travel long 

 distances, to any spot where these trees abound, lying 

 up during the day in the vicinity. Nilghai and deer 

 are also very partial to this flower, which smells abomin- 

 ably, but tastes sweet and luscious ; and from which the 

 natives distil a species of arrack, a strong spirit 

 resembling rum. They are also very fond of white ants, 

 whose habitations they destroy with their powerful claws, 

 and then suck up the inmates, making a loud snoring 

 noise while doing so. 



In the Nizam's Dominions large groves or topes of 

 the date palm, exist in many parts. The natives cut 

 incisions in the stems of these trees, placing earthen 

 vessels called " chatties " to catch the sap, which is sweet 

 and pleasant to drink, and something like " Stone" ginger- 

 beer, until it begins to ferment, which it rapidly does 

 when the sun gets up. It then froths up like beer, and 

 becomes sour, and intoxicating. Bears are very fond of 

 this liquor, which is called toddy, and at night repair to 



* Bassia. 

 B '2 



