1847-] On the Aborigines of the sub-Himalayas. 1243 



wars, the Giiriings and the Magars. The 4th, or Kosean basin (Sapt 

 Kousiki in native topography, after the 7 chief feeders) is the abode of 

 the Kirantis and Limbus. The 5th or Tishtan basin, again is the 

 fatherland of the Dijond maro and of the Pluh or Lhopa, that is Lep- 

 chas and Bhutanese. And, lastly, the high and level space — (a system 

 of valleys around the great one, which is nearly 5000 feet above the 

 sea) — between the basins of the Gandak and Kosi is the seat of the Ne- 

 wars and Mtirmis. But observe that the terms level space and system 

 of valleys, applied to this last tract, are merely relative, though as such 

 significant, nor meant to be contradictory of what has been above re- 

 marked, more generally, as to the whole Sub-hemalayas. And here I 

 should add that the best representation of the Hemalayas and Sub- 

 hemalayas is by a comparison with the skeleton of the human frame, 

 in which the former are analogous to the spine, and the latter to the 

 ribs. The Sub-hemalayas therefore are transverse rather than parallel 

 ridges, as above stated, and they trend diagonally towards union on the 

 verge of the plains, so as to unitise the several great streams, but still 

 with an irregularity which close observance of the aqueous system can 

 alone reveal. The ruggedness of the surface, by preventing all inter- 

 communication of a free kind, has multiplied dialects : the rank pasture, 

 by its ill effect on herds and flocks, has turned the people's attention 

 more exclusively than in Tibet to agriculture, though even in Tibet the 

 people are mostly non-nomadic ;* heat and moisture, such as Tibet is 

 utterly void of, have relaxed the tone of the muscles and deepened the 

 hue of the skin, making the people rice-eaters and growers rather than 

 carnivorous tenders of flocks. Thus the Cis-Himalayans are smaller, 

 less muscular and less fair than the Trans-Himalayans ; but the differ- 

 ences are by no means so marked as might have been expected ; and 

 though there are noticeable shades of distinction in this respect be- 

 tween the several tribes of the Cis-Himalayans, as well as between mos t 

 of them and the Tibetans, yet if they all be (as surely they are) of the 

 same origin, it must be allowed that very striking differences of climate 



* Within the limits of Tibet are found abundance of Nomades of Mongol and Turkish 

 race, called respectively Sokpo and Hor by the Tibetans, who themselves seem much 

 affined to the latter race, which has long- exercised a paramount influence in Tibet : 

 witness the tacts that all its hill ranges are Taghs, and all its Lakes, Nurs, both Turks 

 words. 



