The Turaee and Outer Mountains of Kumaoon. [May, 



well as the perpetual action of its large ears, the apparatus hy which 

 these qualities are exercised : and that too where no real danger exists : 

 but proving the numerous enemies to which it is exposed in a wild state. 

 Unless when at speed, not a step is made without the ears being thrown 

 forward to gather the slightest sound : and if this be any way unusual, 

 the angry and repeated stamp with the forefeet is the signal to its com- 

 panions for immediate flight. 



December 18. — From Dhikkolee camp to Chilkiya Mundee, 10 or 11 

 miles south. In about one mile pass Dhikkolee, a clearing in the jnn- 

 gle, where a Buniya, a Teekadar and his guard, with one or two culti- 

 vators, are established. The road keeps the high forest land on the 

 west side of the Kosilla, but at this season passengers prefer the shorter 

 route along the stony bed of the river, which finally quits the outer 

 ranges at Goolur-ghat, whence a large kool or cut, is sent down to 

 Chilkiya. The made road, here very rough and stony, descends into 

 the Plains by the Amdanda Pass, and then reaches Chilkiya after about 

 4 miles of flat ground, covered with bamboo, byr, (Zizyphus rugosa and 

 Z. jujuba,) and tall grass jungle. It is now a populous, straggling place, 

 larger than Huldwanee or Kaleeclhoongee, and abounding in the various 

 productions of the mountains and the Bhabur, either iron from the 

 Khetsaree and other mines, or vegetable dyes : the Myrobolans, Kae- 

 phul, and Pomegranate rind ? The Bhotiyas too, whom no considera- 

 tion would formerly tempt to quit the mountains, now find their 

 account in descending as far as Chilkiya, and the other marts with their 

 Borax, Nirbysee,Doloo, or Rhubarb, Kutkee, or Picrorhiza and the leaves 

 and stems of a small Tibetan Allium, " Jibboo," &c. for which they take 

 back chiefly sugar and sweetmeets : sheep and goats being their only 

 beasts of burden. 



Chilkiya is 1163 feet above Calcutta, and has no water but from the 

 artificial cut before mentioned. The mountain views of the Gagur, the 

 Kath ke Nao, and the Lower range of Gurhwal, are exceedingly beau- 

 tiful. 



In the forest to-day the Diospyrus tomentosa was large and abundant : 

 it is called " Tyndoo," and its timber is sold at Chilkiya as Ubnoos or 

 ebony : the fruit is edible. With it grows the Grewia sclerophylla, 

 " Phursia," a shrub which also produces a large and edible fruit, the 

 " Goorbhclee" of the N. W. In the warm shaded ravines of the lower 



