OF KAMAON. 49 



from the nature of the climate in Bhot ; when collected together in any- 

 place, they have frequent drinking parties, which are continued during 

 the whole night, and sometimes kept up even for the ensuing day. Intox- 

 ication with them does not, however, lead to riot or disorder. The liquor 

 in use is of two descriptions — ■" D&ru" or Whisky, produced by distilla- 

 tion, and " Jdn," obtained by simple fermentation: the latter is the favo- 

 rite beverage. Both are procured from rice : to hasten the fermentation 

 dried yeast, " JBalma," reduced to powder, is added : a few hours only are 

 required to render the " Jan" fit for use. The " Balma" is prepared from 

 the meal of barley or other coarse grain, on which an infusion of the ber- 

 ries or sprigs of the juniper, or of the " Suri" in water is made to filter : 

 the dough is kneaded, and when ready, dried in small cakes for keeping. 

 The Balma is said to retain its properties for many years : its manu- 

 facture, which is tedious, forms the exclusive occupation of particular 

 individuals. 



Of the Bkotias, it may be observed generally, that they are an honest, 

 industrious and orderly race, possessed of much good humour and patience: 

 in their habits they are commonly dirty, more particularly the Dharmias, 

 who openly profess an hereditary prejudice against ablutions of every 

 kind; to this profession they fully act, and, except on particular occasions 

 of religious ceremony, never wash either their hands or face. The skirts 

 of their dress serve to cleanse both their persons and their cooking uten- 

 sils — to scrub the latter, either with sand or water, would, they conceive, 

 be attended by disastrous consequences, as already noticed in treating of 

 the climate. 



o In 



