474 Mr. W. Jesse on the 
ture in the sun's rays, nor the lowest on the grass, since 
I have not full data by me ; but when I state that the former 
is sometimes 180° and that the latter sinks to 20° in the 
cold weather, it will be realized that we are subjected to 
considerable extremes. The '' hot '^ weather extends from 
about March 20th till the rains break — towards the end of 
June. The ten days or so before the monsoon are usually 
particularly trying, and those who can do so endeavour to 
take casual leave and make tracks for the nearest hill-station. 
During the intense heat dust-storms are frequent, and the 
'' loo/' or hot west wind, fills the air with sand, causing a 
lurid haze to obscure the sky. The advent of the monsoon 
is usually heralded by heavy thunderstorms, and when once 
the first burst has fallen the temperature drops. So long 
as it rains, the weather is more or less endurable, in spite 
of insect plagues and fever, which is alw-ays more or less 
prevalent at this season, but once the clouds clear away 
and a '' break " occurs everything is enveloped in a steam- 
bath. From November 15th to the beginning of March 
is the ^' cold " weather par excellence. The climate is 
delightful, and the nights are cold enough to admit of the 
collection of pit-ice — though, since the advent of the 
" machine," that method has fallen into disuse. This is, of 
course, the shooting-season. Geese, Ducks, and Teal abound 
on the various stretches of water, while Snipe and myriads 
of Waders and other water-fowl are found along the edges. 
Eields and topes swarm with migrants, many of them of 
surpassing beauty. 
The general aspect of the Division is a flat cultivated plain, 
interspersed with jheels, mangoe-topes, maidans, and nullahs. 
In some localities there are stretches of dhak [Butea f rondo so) 
jungle, very beautiful when in full bloom, intermingled with 
corounda, in which nilgai, hares, and partridges are to be 
found. Unfortunately, much of this jungle is disappearing, 
and with it the game, which of late years has been terribly 
thinned by the depredations of the lower castes — Chamars, 
Pasis, Bhatus, and Ahirs. Low-class Mahomedans, native 
Christians, and Eurasians also slaughter much game indis- 
criminately for food. 
