VOL. LXXIX.J PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 543 



approaches very near to that of Bengal at all seasons. Melons, gourds, brinjals, 

 and cucumbers, are occasionally to be met with. The country is fitted for the 

 production of every fruit and vegetable common without the tropics, and in some 

 situations will bring to perfection many of the tropical fruits. 



There are 2 plants which I have to regret the not having had as yet an oppor- 

 tunity of seeing; one is the tree from the bark of which their paper is made ; and 

 the other is employed by them in poisoning their arrows. This last is said to come 

 from a very remote part of the country. They describe it as growing to the 

 height of 3 or 4 feet, with a hollow stalk. The juice is inspissated, and laid as 

 a paste on their arrows. Fortunately for them, it has not all the bad effects they 

 dread from it. I had an opportunity of seeing several who were wounded with 

 these arrows, and they all did well, though under the greatest apprehension. The 

 cleaning and enlarging some of the wounds was the most that I found necessary 

 to be done. The paste is pungent and acrid, will increase inflammation, and may 

 make a bad or neglected wound mortal ; but it certainly does not possess any 

 specific quality as a poison. 



The fir, so common in this country, is perhaps the only tree they could con- 

 vert to a useful and profitable purpose. What I have seen would not, from their 

 situation, be employed as timber. The largest I have yet met with were near 

 Wandepore; they measured from 8 to 10 feet in circumference, were tall and 

 straight. Such near the Burrampooter, or any navigable river, might certainly 

 be transported to an advantageous market. I am convinced that any quantity of 

 tar, pitch, turpentine, and resin, might be made in this country, much to the 

 emolument of the natives. Firs, which from their size and situation are unfit 

 for timber, would answer the purpose equally well. The process for procuring 

 tar and turpentine is simple, and does not require the construction of expensive 

 works. This great object has been so little attended to, that they are supplied 

 from Bengal with what they want of these articles. 



The country about Tassesudon contains great variety of soil, and much rock of 

 many different forms, but still an unpromising field for a mineralist. I have not 

 found in Boutan a fossil that had the least appearance of containing any other 

 metal than iron, and a small portion of copper. From information, and the re- 

 ports of travellers, I believe it is otherwise to the northward. The banks of the 

 Ticushu, admitting of cultivation for several miles above and below Tassesudon, 

 yield them 2 crops in the year. The first of wheat and barley is cut down in 

 June; and the rice, planted immediately after, enjoys the benefit of the rains. 

 This country is not without its hot wells, as well as many numerous springs. One 

 hot well, near Wandepore, is so close to the banks of the river as to be overflowed 

 in the rains, and it was impossible to get to it : the heat of this well is great ; but 

 I could not learn that the ground about it was much different from the general 



