272 Capt. Pemberfon's Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. [April, 



they shewed themselves to be ignorant, greedy barbarians, such as 

 should be punished first, and commanded afterwards. 



The objection raised against the resumption of the Dooars, on the 

 plea that no check will then exist on the Booteas, is one contrived 

 to meet expediencies : it has never been attended with the supposed 

 effect. The affair of Herr Govindh, and the recent victory at Silka- 

 bhari are convincing proofs that the Booteas may easily be kept with- 

 in their own limits. And even arguing the necessity of an increased 

 military force, it must not be forgotten that the same tract which now 

 yields us nothing but a few debased coins, a few inferior ponies, with 

 abundance of disputes and law suits, would in a very short time be- 

 come equal in richness to any of the neighbouring tracts, rich as these 

 undoubtedly are. 



PART III. 



[Natural productions, agriculture, domestic animals, arts, and commerce A 



Few wild quadrupeds were seen by us in Bootan. Tigers, leopards, 

 and elephants are to be found on the lower ranges, and probably the 

 former straggle up to as considerable a height as they do to the west- 

 ward. The chief beasts of prey in the interior are bears, but they 

 do not seem to be numerous, and foxes of large size and great beauty : 

 these last are confined to considerable elevations, and none were seen 

 under 8000 feet. 



Monkeys as usual abound on the lower ranges, on which the 

 Hoollock of Assam likewise occurs. Some long-tailed monkeys occur- 

 red above Bulphai, 8200 feet above the sea; and in January I 

 likewise saw a flock of noble ones not far from Tongsa, at an elevation 

 of 5800 feet ; these were white, and in form and size resembled the 

 Langoors. Among wild ruminants, I may mention the barking deer, 

 which however scarcely ascend above 4000 feet, and the musk deer, 

 the most valuable wild animal of the country. It would appear to 

 be rather common on the higher ranges, as several skins were brought 

 to us from Punukka; the price for us, of a perfect one, that is with- 

 out the musk, being five rupees. 



The smaller animals that came under our notice were a species^ 

 I believe, of Lagomys, which Lieut. Blake found dead on the path, one 

 or two animals of the weasel kind, and rats which swarm in very 

 many of the houses. 



Three or four species of squirrel were likewise procured, all from 

 elevations of 5500 feet, yet all were likewise natives of Assam. The 



