1849.] Kdcch, Bodo and Dhimdl People. 709 



modern north Bihar, the climate is as much more salubrious as cultiva- 

 tion is more diffused. The Saul forest every where, but especially to 

 the east of the Kosi, is malarious to an extent which no human beings 

 can endure, save the remarkable races, which for ages have made it their 

 dwelling place. To all others, European or native, it is deadly from 

 April to November. Yet the Dhimal, the Bodo, the Kichak, the 

 Tharii, the Deirwar, not only live but thrive in it, exhibiting no symp- 

 toms whatever of that dreadful stricken aspect of countenance and form 

 which marks the victim of malaria. The like capacity to breathe mala- 

 ria as though it were common air characterises nearly all the Tamulian 

 aborigines of India, as the Kols, the Bhils, the Gonds, who are all fine 

 and healthy races of men, though dwelling where no other human beings 

 can exist. This single fact is to my mind demonstration that the Tamu- 

 lians have tenanted the wilds they now dwell in for many centuries, 

 probably, 30,* because a very great lapse of time could alone work so 

 wonderful an effect upon the human frame, and even with the allow- 

 ance of centuries, the fact stands forth as one of the miracles of human 

 kind, which those who can explain may sneer at the other amazing 

 diversities worked by time and clime on that marvellous unit, the seed 

 of Adam ! The Bodo and Dhimals, whom I communicated with, 

 alleged that they cannot endure the climate of the plains, where 

 the heat gives them fevers. This is a mere excuse for their known 

 aversion to quit the forest ; for their eastern brethren dwell and 

 till like natives in the open plains of Assam, just as the Kols of 

 south Bihar (Dhangars) do now in every part of the plains of 

 Bihar and Bengal, in various sites abroad, and lastly in the lofty sub- 

 Himalayas. The Kols are, indeed, as enterprising, as industrious, and 

 they should be employed by every European who seeks to reduce and 

 cultivate any part of the malarious forests of India.f But, it must not be 

 forgotten, that the very same qualities of freedom from disabling preju- 



* There is " no cabalistic virtue" in 30, as Mr. Lyall observes in reference to 

 his theory of the fourfold division of tertiary rocks. That number expressly is 

 given, however, because about 3000 years back is the probable date of the emmi- 

 gration of the Arian Hindus. 



f How comes it that the Deyrah grantees, whom the malaria disables through 

 their peasantry, do not procure Dhangars or Kols, who would answer thoroughly 

 and exactly for the purpose in view ? I speak from much experience. 



