348 FKEEUOIM EEOM CASTE. 



which they have to wander over ; but in 

 October, when the rutting season com- 

 mences, they may be heard bellowing in the 

 forests all day long, and are then easily 

 found and shot. It is fortunate* for 

 them, that our sportsmen who visit Cash- 

 mere, can rarely prolong their sojourn 

 in the valley to that time, for although 

 tolerably numerous, they would soon be 

 nearly exterminated. The antlers, which 

 are shed early in spring, are picked up 

 in the forests by the villagers, and 

 form an article of expoi't traffic with 

 Ladak. 



Whilst breakfasting upon snow-water tea, 

 I observed one of the coolies eating the 

 green dock leaves, that grew near, and on 

 asking him Avhat it was, he said, " Food, 

 I am very hungry." We gave him all that 

 remained from our meal, which although 

 enough for four men, he devoured in no 

 time ; but the Mahometans north of India, 

 have none of the caste prejudices, which 

 their brethren in Bengal have borrowed 



