5J0 Journal of a trip through Kunawur, fyc. [No. 102. 



of which is consequently broken as they roam among the furze of the 

 upper tracts during summer. The villages of Nako, Chungo, Leeo, 

 Poo,ee, and Hungo in Hungrung, are some of the places from whence 

 chowrees are chiefly exported to the lower hills, and much care is be- 

 stowed upon their growth. 



The black ones are not esteemed by the natives, and are therefore 

 left to nature, and are either used to hang on poles, one of which is 

 erected on the roof of almost every house as a propitiatory offering to 

 some deity, or the long hair is plaited into ropes, which are both strong 

 and durable. Hemp is unknown in this country, and every person 

 of the poorer class has a rope of yak's or goat's hair twined round the 

 waist, which serves not only as a waistband, but is also used to bind 

 their loads upon their backs. 



The white tails, however, have the hair often cut to make it grow 

 longer, and the whole is enclosed in a bag to keep it free from dirt, 

 and to prevent its being broken by thorns and bushes. When the hair 

 has attained a good length, the tail is cut off, bone and all, and dried in 

 the sun, after which the chowree, or chownree as it is termed, is sent 

 to the lower hills for sale. In Hungrung the price asked is from 1-8 to 

 3-8 Co's. rupees, and even four rupees, according to the length, and the 

 quantity of hair. At Simla double these sums are demanded by the 

 Cashmerians, who purchase them at the Rampore fair. Formerly 

 the price even in Hungrung was much lower, but the demand for 

 them, since Simla has become a fashionable resort, has raised their 

 value. 



The same effect has been produced at Soongnum in Kunawur, with 

 regard to the price of blankets which are there made ; formerly one 

 blanket was as thick as two of the present manufacture, and sold for 

 the same, and often for a less price. The demand for them of late 

 years has, however, both raised the price, and deteriorated the quality. 

 Now, it is no longer a matter of rivalry who shall produce the best 

 blankets, but who shall produce the greatest number, and the wool 

 which formerly would have been apportioned to one, is now made into 

 two blankets, which are sold at 3-8 and four rupees a piece at Soong- 

 num ; and at Simla from five to eight rupees by the Cashmerians. 



Among the Tartars there are many families who possess no fixed 

 habitation, but wander about from place to place, with their flocks, ac- 



