OF KAMAON. 11 



may be re-bred. Of these mules, the " Jabbu" is the most valuable, 

 being found to possess the good qualities of both parents in an essential 

 degree. The value of the Yak and of the Jabbu is nearly the same — from 

 fifteen to thirty rupees for each animal. 



Sheep and goats are numerous, and form the principal means of 

 transport; they are not, however, bred to any great extent by the Bhotias, 

 but are purchased by them in the villages, along the south base of the 

 Himalaya, the animals of that quarter alone, being found capable of 

 standing the changes of climate and the unceasing labor to which their 

 employment subjects them. The pasture on the ranges adjoining to the 

 Himalaya, is found in a peculiar degree nutritive to sheep ; on the melt- 

 ing of the winter snows, towards the end of March, these mountains which, 

 though lofty, are by no means precipitous, become covered with verdure, 

 and are then resorted to by the flocks of the neighbourhood. A few days 

 are said to suffice to restore the animals to condition, though ever so 

 much reduced by the fasts and rigors of the preceding winter. The grass 

 of these pastures is distinguished by the shepherds, under a particular 

 name, and has the universal reputation of being inexhaustible, the growth 

 during the night being said to compensate fully for the consumption of 

 the day. The flocks continue here till the commencement of the rains, 

 when they are driven to less rich pastures on the more southern ridges ; with 

 the setting in of winter, they return to the villages. During this season, 

 the sheep are compelled to browse with the goats 5 branches, chiefly of the 

 oak, being cut down for them : the use of Bhusi is here unknown, though 

 the animals are turned into the stubble fields ; neither is hay, though stor- 

 ed in small quantities for cattle, ever given to sheep. In some 

 parts of Garhwal, the leaves of trees, particularly of the mulberry, are 

 dried and stocked in autumn, to serve as fodder for the winter. The 

 " Kimmii^ or mulberry, is there, consequently, much valued, and the 



property 



