CLIMATE OF BOUTAN. 
237 
these are generally small and ill-flavoured, in con- 
sequence, no doubt, of imperfect cultivation, — for there 
is no reason why, with due care and a moderate ap- 
plication of skill, they should not be brought to the 
greatest perfection, since the climate is highly favour- 
able for the production . of fruits and vegetables both 
of Indian and European growth. 
During the months of July and August almost 
every variety of temperature exists in Boutan, from 
summer-heat to freezing-point. The distance of a 
few leagues will bring the traveller to a change of 
climate nearly in the extreme, as is the case in the 
locality just described; for while the inhabitants of 
Ponaka are clothed in the lightest garments, and 
constantly seeking the shade in order to escape the 
oppressive heat of a vertical sun, those of Gassa are 
under the influence of cold so piercing as to require 
the warmest clothing, being chilled by the perpetual 
snows which cap the summits of the mountains upon 
which they have fixed their insecure habitations : and 
yet these two places are in sight of each other. 
Although the soil in Boutan is everywhere singu- 
larly productive, yet the natives do not avail them- 
selves of the facilities which nature has put into their 
hands. They bestow little or no labour to increase 
the produce of their land. What nature gives they 
gather with patient contentment, and seek not to 
obtain those luxuries which demand the sacrifice of 
ease. Their gardens produce almost every variety of 
fruit ; but scarcely any reaches to a state of maturity, 
because no endeavours are used to ensure so easy a 
result. Oranges are here abundant and very fine; 
