of just sufficient elevation to set it off. The atmosphere,
too, of these regions is peculiarly favourable for views :
it is very dry at this season; but still the hills are
clearly defined, without the harsh outlines so characteristic
of a moist air. The skies are bright, the sun
powerful; and there is an almost imperceptible haze
that seems to soften the landscape, and keep every
object in true perspective.
Our route led towards the picturesque hills and valleys
in front. There was little cultivation, and that
little of the most wretched kind; even rice-fields were
few and scattered; there was no corn, nor lentiles,
nor Castor-oil, no Poppy, Cotton, Safflower, nor other
crops of the richer soils that flank the Ganges and
Hoogly; a very little Sugar-cane, Dhal (a small pea),
Mustard, Linseed, and Rape, the three latter cultivated
for their oil. Hardly a Palm was to he seen; and it
was seldom that the cottages could boast of a Banana,
Tamarind, Orange, Cocoa-nut, or Date. The Mahowa
(Bassia latifolia) and Mango were the commonest trees.
There being no Kunker in the soil here, the roads were
mended with angular quartz, much to the elephant’s
annoyance.
The country around the base of Parasnath is rather
pretty, the hills covered with bamboo and brushwood,
and as usual, rising rather suddenly from the elevated
plains. The jungle affords shelter to a few bears and
tigers, jackals in abundance, and occasionally foxes;
the birds seen are chiefly pigeons. Insects are very
scarce; those of the locust tribe being most prevalent,
indicative of a dry climate.
The temperature varied from 65° at night, to 82° at
3 p .m ., from which there was no great variation during
the whole time we spent at these elevations. The
clouds were rare, and always light and high, except
a little fleecy spot of vapour condensed close to the
summit of Parasnath. Though the nights were clear
and starlight, no dew was deposited, owing to the
great dryness of the air.
On the 2nd of February we proceeded to Tofe-
Choney, the hills increasing in height to nearly 1000
feet, and the country becoming more picturesque.
We passed some tanks covered with Villarsia, and
frequented by flocks of white egrets. The existence of
artificial tanks so near a lofty mountain, from whose
sides innumerable water-courses descend, indicates the
great natural dryness of the country during one season
of the year. The hills and valleys were richer
than I expected, though far from luxuriant.
This being the most convenient station whence to
ascend Parasnath, we started at 6 a .m . for the village
of Maddaobund, at the north base of the mountain, or
opposite side from that on which the grand trunk-road
runs. After following the latter for a few miles to the
west, we took a path through beautifully wooded plains,
with scattered trees of the Mahowa, resembling good
oaks : the natives distil a kind of arrack from its fleshy
flowers, which are also eaten raw. The seeds, too,
yield a concrete oil, by expression, which is used for
lamps and occasionally for frying.
Some villages at the west base of the mountain
occupy a better soil, and are surrounded with richer