present revenue, which is now
computed to amount to fifty lacs (500,000 pounds). Still the Terai might
be made yet more profitable. At present no use whatever is made of the
hides and horns of the hundreds of head of cattle that die daily in this
district, which are left to rot on the carcases of the beasts. It would
remain to be proved however whether, even if permission were granted by
the Nepaul Government, any would be found possessing the capital or
enterprise to engage in a speculation which would, unquestionably, ensure
a handsome return.

It is not, however, in a pecuniary point of view alone that the Terai is
considered by the Nepaulese as contributing to the prosperity of their
dominions; it is looked upon as one of their chief safeguards against
invasion. For nine or ten months a disease, denominated by the natives
the "Ayul," renders the Terai impassable to man, so deadly are its
effects even to the natives of the country. It would appear that might
be obviated--if we are to believe the native theory somewhat gravely
recorded by Mr. Hamilton (who made a journey through this province with a
mission sent by Government in 1803)--by going in search of and killing
certain serpents, which are said to poison the atmosphere with their
breath. I should be inclined to recommend the cutting down of the jungle
in preference to the cutting up of the serpents; and I have little doubt
that, were parts of the great forest cleared, and wide roads cut through
it, it would cease to be so pestilential a locality as it is at present.
In case of a war, there would be no difficulty, even now, in our troops
possessing themselves of the whole territory to the foot of the
Cheriagotty hills in the cold season; but as we should have to maintain
some position throughout the year, the top of those hills themselves
would be the only one available, and here, in the heart of an enemy's
country, and cut off from all communication with India, the position of
the garrison would be anything but enviable.

I observed several of the natives of this district afflicted with goitre,
and I was informed that cretinism was also prevalent,--a fact which
proves clearly the fallacy of the old doctrine that these complaints are
attributable to snow-water, for all the water drunk by the inhabitants of
the Terai rises in the Cheriagotty hills, on which snow rarely if ever
falls. This would be strongly corroborative of the correctness of the
idea that