NATURALIST IN INDIA, 59 



ripening grain contrasted beautifully with the brilliant green 

 of the gram-fields. 



On the 10th of April we arrived at Ferozepoor, where we 

 were delayed some time making arrangements for our march. 



The great heat of summer was rapidly approaching, and 

 we were glad when fairly on our way to the Himalayas. The 

 route led through Loodiana and Umballah. As usual in- the 

 East, we commenced our marches very early, so as to get 

 under cover by 8 A.M. When the cooling effects of a mussiek* 

 of water refreshed us for our breakfast, the remainder of 

 the day was generally spent in endeavours to exclude from 

 our tents flies, mosquitoes, and that prince of gallynippers, 

 the sand-fly, whose bite produces a painful and irritable 

 swelling. 



The scenery of Ferozepoor, and for a few marches east- 

 ward, is not by any means attractive ; beyond occasional 

 cultivated patches, the country is covered with low, stunted 

 scrub, sandy wastes, or jungles of tamarisk, acacia, cactus, or 

 the milkweeds. This monotony was, however, compensated 

 by the herds of antelopes (Antilope dezoariica) often met 

 with in the open, and affording excellent long shots for our 

 best riflemen. 



The black buck rivals any of the deer tribe in grace and 

 elegance, as it certainly excels in swiftness of foot. Its spring 

 is particularly grand, as when, wounded or scared by the shot, 

 it stands motionless for a moment, and then like lightning 

 bounds across the plain, reminding us of Moore's beautiful 

 lines, — 



" Our sands are bare, but down their slope 

 The silTery-footed antelope 

 As gracefully an^ gaily springs, 

 As o'er the marble courts of kings ! " 



* A skin used for carrying water. 



