MISCELLANEOUS. 241 



A bechoba costs about Kupees 100, and is light and 

 commodious, and when pitched under trees, such as the 

 mango and peepul, affords sufficient protection from the 

 sun's rays. A rowtee for the use of the servants costs 

 Eupees 60. For shooting in remote jungles, where coolies 

 are scarce and no other transport is available, the Regula- 

 tion single pole bell tent, conical in shape, and which can 

 be carried by two men, is everything that can be desired 

 for a solitary sportsman. Accommodation can be supple- 

 mented by the construction of huts if necessary. 



In the sheltered valleys of these forests, on a damp, 

 muggy day in the monsoon, the smoke of black powder 

 hangs terribly, enveloping the firer in an opaque cloud, 

 which not only prevents him from seeing the effect of 

 his shot, but is very likely to give a clue to a wounded 

 animal as to his position. 



In jungles where bison have seldom been harassed by 

 sportsmen, they undoubtedly often mistake the report of 

 firearms for thunder, which is prevalent at the breaking of 

 the monsoon, and for a month afterwards, this too, being the 

 usual time for stalking. On several occasions I have fired 

 at a bison without disturbing the remainder of the herd, 

 who would merely start on hearing the report, but recom- 

 mence grazing immediately afterwards. Native shikaries 

 also assert that tigers and panthers which have been fired 

 at, and missed, over a kill at night, often return to it after 

 a few minutes, mistaking the flash and report for lightning 

 and thunder. Whenever a waterproof nitro powder is 

 invented which can be used in large charges without 

 danger of detonation, it will entirely supplant black powder 

 for shooting in heavy jungles. 



On account of the difficulty in keeping cart ridges dry, 

 when under canvas, during the rains, and the tendency of 



