1833.] Analysis of Books. 551 
Vil.—Anatysis or Books. 
Seventeenth volume of Astatic RESEARCHES, or Transactions of the Society insti- 
tuted in Bengal for inquiring into the History, the Antiquities, the Arts and Sci- 
ences and Literature of Asia. Calcutta, 1832. 
This volume is prefaced with an address from the Society to its late Secretary 
Mr. H. H. Witsown, upon the occasion of his departure to Europe, which will be 
found printed at length in the Journal, vol. i. p. 563. 
I. The first paper isa Statistical Report on the Bhotia Mehals of Kemaon, by 
G. W. Traili, Esq. Commissioner. It forms a supplement to the more elaborate 
report by the same officer on the district of Kemaon, printed in the sixteenth vo- 
lume of the Asiatic Researches, 1828. 
The Bhot Mehals, forming in extent one-third of the Kemaon province, are 
bounded at the north by the table-land of Tibet, on the south they extend to the base 
of the Him4laya range, and are irregularly defined, piercing through the barrier 
of the snowy range at the passes of the five principal rivers, Mana and Nité, on the 
feeders of the Ganges ; Juwar, Darma, and Byanse, on those of the Sarda or Gogra. 
These limited valleys, or gorges, are the only productive and inhabitable parts 
of Bhot, the rest consisting of snow and barren rock. They are elevated 6000 feet 
above the sea, while the peaks around them tower to 20 and 25,000 feet. The Bho- 
tias insist that the zone of snow is continually extending, andcutting off passes from 
one valley to another, which were formerly passable at least for a few days in the 
year. The only accessible roads now follow the direction of the streams, and ow- 
ing to avalanches (hzéén gul) and slips (patra) require constant toil for their pre- 
servation. The Nit isthe most practicable pass, but at many points ponies and cattle 
are forced to be raised or lowered by means of slings passed round their bodies ! 
There are but 59 villages and 1325 houses, and about 10,000 inhabitants in this 
mountainous district, of whom nine-tenths are Bhotias or Tibetans. 
For half the year the ground is covered with snow, and an interval of four 
months without a fall of snow, forms an uncommonly favorable summer ! 
Phapar and Ugal, two varieties of buck-wheat, Ud Jao and Jao, beardless and 
common barley, are the principal agricultural products of the province. The Pha- 
per seem indigenous, as it is found wild on all high mountains. Wheat and Marsa, 
a species of Amaranthus, yield an uncertain crop. 
*“‘ Turnips and leaks are the only vegetables raised in Bhot! but many useful roots 
and herbs are spontaneously produced, among these are, the wild garlic, ce- 
lery, rhubarb, frankincense (mari or balchar), laljari, chora, bhotkes, and kathi, 
objects of export to Hindustan. The rhubarb is somewhat inferior in its color and 
properties to the Turkey, and the Bhotias do not take it inwardly, though they 
apply the powder to wounds and bruises : it is also used as an ingredient in the 
formation of a red dye, in conjunction with Manjith (very abundant here) and 
potash.” 
Among the fruits, Mr. TrarLu enumerates the gooseberry, currant, raspberry, 
strawberry, and pear. Walnuts and hazlenuts are common, but small; apricots and 
peaches do notthrive. Oaks, pines, the celebrated Deodar, and the Suryt or Arbor 
vite, with trunks of 20 and 25 feet in circumference, are common ; to them succeed 
the Rhododendron, the king pine, the yew, the Naspati, or white Rhododendron, 
(used as snuff,) Bindhara or juniper, and above all, the Bhoj (bhuria), or birch on 
the very verge of perpetual snow*. 
* See note in page 337, 
