706 The Hodesum improperly called Kolehan) , [No 103. 



cantonment were either overlooked^ or thought of less note than the 

 nearer vicinity of water, Chyebassa being on the banks of the Roro. 

 The Hos are more free from disease than any other people, in con- 

 sequence of the precautionary measures they take — their nutritive 

 food and drink, and the open airy positions they build in. As a guard 

 against infection or fire their villages are small and scattered, and 

 on the first appearance of any epidemic, they leave their houses and 

 flee into the jungles, living apart from each other. Singbhoom, on the 

 contrary, from the obverse manners of the Oorias, is yearly scourged 

 by cholera, fevers, and smalUpox. This latter disease, propagated by 

 the Bramin inoculators, has within the last year spread with fearful 

 havoc into the Kolehan, and most unfortunately simultaneously with 

 the introduction of vaccine, to which the evil has alone been attributed. 

 The rains are not heavy in the Kolehan, but the moonsoon is accom- 

 panied by violent storms of wind from the north-west, with severe 

 thunder and lightning, causing many fatal accidents. None of that 

 sultry oppression incident to Bengal is felt at that time of year. The cold 

 season is truly luxurious — "a nipping and an eager air" without fogs or 

 mists. March, April, and May are generally the only unpleasantly hot 

 months of the year ; during this period not a drop of water falls occa- 

 sionally for upwards of six weeks ; the aspect of the country loses 

 every trace of verdure, and the dried stony soil reflects with unbear- 

 able force the rays of the sun. Vegetation is vigorously restored on 

 the commencement of the rains, and as these are not accompanied by 

 the gloomy sky and unceasing torrents which fall in the plains of 

 India, the landscape is pleasingly checquered by passing showers, and 

 the tender foliage of the forests glistens alternately with golden breaks 

 of sunshine, or mellowed shades of green. To the south and east of 

 Singbhoom, and in the most dreary and deserted parts of the country, 

 are remains indicative of the former presence of opulent and industri- 

 ous people, but so decayed by time, and engulphed in the labyrinths 

 of untenanted forests, as to be unmarked by any record or history, save 

 that they must have been of prior origin to the first known Bhooians 

 of the country. In Lalgurhpeer, the remains of a square brick fort 

 well ditched round are still visible ; it is said by the Bramins to have 

 been the seat of a Raja of the Raj Dom tribe, who with all his people, 

 houses, and riches, were destroyed by fire from heaven, for having slain 



