472 CLIMATE OF ) 



South West and flows 1,100 feet below it, distant about one mile in a straight 

 line. It is very steep towards the South West, and North East sides and to 

 the South East and JNorth West is a range, the former rising in elevation, and 

 the latter gradually sloping towards the river Gambhir which is about three 

 miles distant. The hills in its immediate neighbourhood are almost desti- 

 tute of wood while at some distance they are covered on their northern faces 

 with large common pine trees, bushes and shrubs. 



The neighbourhood considering all things and the oppression and treat- 

 ment experienced by the inhabitants under the Gurkha rule is populous, 

 and the surrounding flats and slopes are highly cultivated. The country is 

 studded with numerous, though for the most part, small villages, few of 

 them containing more than from 4 or 6, to 12 or 15 houses or families, and 

 these have increased to an astonishing degree since it became a military post 

 and subject to British jurisdiction. 



. The appearance of the country is pleasing to the eye of a stranger though 

 differing widely from that of the interior. The climate of Subathu enjoys 

 an agreeable temperature, the mean being from 65|-° to 66° though during 

 May and June it is hot, but seldom or ever becomes what is called oppres- 

 sive in a house. Taking it all in all it is very healthy throughout the year. 

 Fever and rheumatism are the predominant complaints, but with respect 

 to the former compared to the plain, cases are remarkably few, more parti- 

 cularly so during the periodical rains which commence between the 20th 

 and end of June, and sudden changes or in damp weather; and the latter in 

 the cold season. When the winter is rigorous, snow falls in January and 

 February to about the depth of four inches, but seldom lies on the ground 

 above two or three days, it being too low and exposed, and the sun's rays 

 -being too powerful. 



Hoar frosts commence in November^ and vanish about the beginning or 

 middle of March ; in severe seasons during part of December, January, 



