442 Report on the Valley of Spiti. [No. 6. 



a very large species which is brought from "Chumiirti" with very- 

 long wool, but not so fine as the other. 



The goat is of the description which produces the Shawl wool or 

 pashm. The total number of sheep and goats in Spiti is 1095. 



The Spiti people are not carriers, or they would have a larger 

 number of sheep. Each village has its three or four dogs, and a very 

 fine black species of cat : these I think comprise all their domestic 

 animals. 



Zoology. — I am here at a very unfavorable season of the year to 

 make any observations, either on the Zoology or Botany of the country ; 

 in fact, with the latter science I am unacquainted, and, with regard to 

 the former, having been a keen observer through these mountains, I 

 have been struck with but two new species of bird of the genera 

 "Erythrospiza," and " Ruticilla," every thing else that I have seen is 

 well known and described. 



Physical constitution, morals, manners, fyc. of the people. — The 

 position of Spiti, situated amongst ranges of high mountains, subject 

 to extreme cold, and far from civilization, points out in a degree the 

 physical constitution of its inhabitants. 



The Bhotias are a physically robust cast of people, the climate 

 not being sufficiently severe to impede the vital functions ; with 

 strongly marked weather-beaten countenances ; of middling height ; 

 with muscular body, flat faces and noses, and, in general, small 

 eyes. The natural colour of their skin is a light brown, and the 

 reflection of the sun from the snow gives them a ruddy hue, which is 

 so peculiar to all the race of Butan. Their hair from exposure to the 

 atmosphere is extremely coarse and matted. The women are also very 

 muscular, and all burdens, except in cases of extreme necessity, are 

 carried by them, the men merely ploughing the fields. They are not 

 subject to much disease, and live usually to 70 years of age. 



Diseases. — Small-pox is their greatest enemy, which occasionally de- 

 populates whole villages. Stomach diseases are not uncommon and which 

 may be increased perhaps by the entire want of vegetables. Weakness 

 of the eyes is also common. Although depending entirely on snow and 

 ice water, and in a country of lime-stone goitre is scarcely known ; one 

 or two cases, they say, may exist in the whole country. 



Ages of Marriage. — The common ages of marriage are, with the 

 men, from 20 to 21, and women from 15 to 20. 



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