OF KAMAON. 7 



from May to September inclusive ; but an interval of four months, with- 

 out a fall of snow, is rare. During these seasons, the thermometer (Fah- 

 renheit,) at sun-rise ranges from 40° to 55°, and at mid-day, from 65° to 

 75° in the shade, and from 90° to 110° in the sun. 



Towards the middle of August, the temperature becomes precarious, 

 and liable to sudden changes, consequent on the state of weather which 

 may prevail on the surrounding heights ; falls of snow, in that quarter, 

 producing slight frosts in the neighbouring valleys : by such occurrences 

 the ripening crops are sometimes wholly burnt up. The Bhotias firmly 

 believe that falls of snow may be induced by concussions in the air. 

 The use of fire arms, musical instruments, and, in Darma, even the 

 scrubbing of metal vessels, are prohibited in the neighbourhood of vil- 

 lages. 



Rain is here neither heavy nor frequent ; there is, however, a constant 

 succession of dense clouds and mists. 



The soil is commonly black, and contains much decayed vege- 

 table matter washed down by the melted snows ; it would however 

 appear to require large supplies of manure to render it productive. The 

 surface is every where extremely stony. 



After the preceding notice of the climate, it is almost superfluous 

 to mention, that only one crop is obtained in each year, the agricultural 

 products are " Phapar" and " Ugal" two varieties of buck-wheat, 

 " Ua Jao" and " Jao" beardless and common barley. Wheat and 

 " Marsa" a species of amaranthus, are partially cultivated. In the 

 richest and best watered lands, barley yields a return of from twenty 

 to forty fold, according as the temperature may be affected by the 



proximity 



