1867.] On Jungle Products used as articles of food. 77 



side, so that the poorest might avail themselves of the crop without 

 having to pay rent to a zemindar or landlord. 



If the yield of an average tree amount to 6 maunds, that is to say, 

 enough to supply a small family with food for three months, there can 

 be no question of the immense amount of food which in time of 

 famine a row of trees planted along a road passing through the 

 country would afford. Although the natives rigorously protect such 

 trees as exist, I am not aware that they do anything to increase the 

 number. 



Shore a robusta, Roxb. Sal, II. & B. 



Under the head of Mhowa, the seed of this tree has already been 

 alluded to. Where possible, the Mhowa and Sal are mixed in the manner 

 above described, but in some places even Mhowa is not to be obtained, 

 so that the Sal seeds are roasted and eaten alone. With many of the 

 Sonthals, Sal is probably a regular article of food, and not merely a 

 " dernier ressort" to be used in such a year as 1866-7. 



Ficus Indica, Roxb. Bur, B. & H. — F. religiosa, Linn. Fipal 

 B. &H. 



The figs of both these species especially those of the former 

 are eaten every year by the poorer classes of natives. In one 

 place last year I observed a number of wretched half-starved ill- 

 clothed women and children, with a few still more wretched men, 

 picking up the figs which had fallen from a banyan tree : they did 

 not even knock the fruit off the tree, but were become so poor-spirited 

 by hunger, that they were contented to collect the windfalls. 



Zizyphtjs jujuba, Linn. Bier, B. & H. 



The fruit of this tree though not at all to be compared in importance 

 with Mhowa as an article of food, is nevertheless much used in 

 parts of these districts where Mhowa is not abundant ; it may frequently 

 be seen spread out to dry on the roofs of cottages. There are two 

 varieties at least of Bier ; one is a small bush with the appearance of 

 which few who have travelled in India can fail to be familiar ; the 

 other is from the same original stock, but has been vastly improved by 

 cultivation and is always found near villages. 



This fruit is sold in the bazaars, and when not quite ripe, has the 

 pleasant acidity of an apple. 



