the Booteans as well as by the Hindoos. The horse, a certain species of which is indigenous to Bootan, and is used as a domestic animal, is called tangun, from Tangustan, the general appellation of that assemblage of mountains which constitutes the territory of Bootan. It is peculiar to this tract, not being found in any of the neighbouring countries of Assam, Nepal, Thibet, or Bengal, and unites in an eminent degree the two qualities of strength and beauty, being remarkable for symmetry and just proportions. The Tangun horse is usually about thirteen hands high, short-bodied, clean-limbed, and deep in the chest, yet extremely active. Being constantly accustomed to struggle against acclivities, there is a surprising energy and vigour in all his movements; and this indomitable spirit is supposed by Europeans to proceed from a headstrong and ungovernable temper, while in reality it is only an excess of eagerness in the performance of any allotted task. The colour of this horse usually inclines to pyebald, and those of one colour are rarely to be found. Though the larger animals are scarce, the country is in some parts infested by insects. A venomous fly annoys the inhabitants of Muri-chom and its vicinity. It differs from the mosquito both in form and size, but fixes itself in the same manner, and draws blood with its proboscis. It leaves behind a small blister, full of black contaminated blood, which enlarges and inflames, and becomes extremely troublesome. Most of the inhabitants are so marked by wounds from this fly, that such parts as are exposed to the air are covered with scurf; and being sometimes attended with tumours, acquire a very diseased appearance.
The inhabitants of this elevated tract are of active habits and of a Herculean make, many of them being six feet high, and are entirely different from the feeble and timid natives of Bengal. A general resemblance of features pervades the whole race of these hardy mountaineers. They are fairer than their Bengal neighbours, and have generally broader faces, with high cheek-bones. They have invariably black hair, which it is their fashion to cut close to the head. The eye, which is a remarkable feature in their face, is small and black, with long pointed corners, as if stretched and extended by artificial means. Their eye-lashes are so thin as to be scarcely perceptible. Their face is rather flat, narrowing from the cheek-bones to the chin, and broadest below the eyes,—a physiognomy which somewhat resembles that of the Tartars, though it is far more strongly marked among the Chinese. They have very small beards, and they generally reach an advanced age before they have the appearance of any; and in this also they resemble the Tartars. They are greatly affected with those glandular swellings in the throat to which the inhabitants of mountain districts are frequently liable, and which prevail among the natives of the Alps, and in Styria, Carinthia, the Ukraine, and the Tyrol. These swellings extend below the chin from ear to ear, and sometimes grow to such an enormous size as to hang from the throat down upon the breast.
The Booteans are not a warlike people, and in the brief contest which took place in 1772 with the British, though they displayed great personal courage, they were unable to withstand the effects of musketry and cannon. Their military accoutrements are extremely cumbrous. As a defence against the weapons of their opponents, they cover their bodies with a prodigious deal of clothing, wearing under the common mantle a blanket or thick quilted jacket. On the arm is carried a large corner shield of painted cane, and a long straight sword is worn across the body. To these is added a bow, six feet long, made of bamboo, remarkable for its elasticity and strength. The arrow is headed by a flattened barb of pointed iron, the sides of which are sometimes grooved to admit the
lodgment of poison, with which deadly substance it is frequently charged. The plant which affords this poison is described as growing to the height of three or four feet, with a hollow stalk. The juice is inspissated, and laid as a paste on their arrows; but it has not all the effect intended, as the wound thus inflicted seldom proves fatal. Some of them are armed with matchlocks, which are in general badly made, and in wretched order. In the management of the sword and shield they are very dexterous, and are excellent archers. They have no cannon.
The Booteans have made no great advances in the arts and improvements of life, though in the construction of public works, such as bridges, aqueducts, &c. they display both perseverance and ingenuity. The nature of the bridges which they construct has been already described. The aqueducts which they contrive are for the purpose of diffusing the water that issues from the mountain springs over the valleys, which are thus irrigated and rendered fit for agriculture. These conduits, although composed of the hollowed trunks of large trees, forced in the soil which covers the rock, or sustained by beams inserted in it, convey the waters across deep dells and along the sides of precipices, and exhibit in a very favourable view the ingenuity and industry of the people, especially when it is considered that, being surrounded and shut up on every side by impervious mountains, they are left to their own resources, and cannot borrow aid from the inventions of more improved nations. Their houses are in general of one story, and not commodious. They have no fire-places; and when the cold forces them to have recourse to a fire, one is kindled in the middle of the room on a large flat stone; and the inmates, ranging themselves round it, are enveloped in volumes of pure smoke, which has no other exit but the windows, and never fails by its pungency to annoy all who are present.
The Booteans are social and cheerful in their manners. The women and the men mix freely together; and they are frequently seen sitting under the cavities of the rocks or other sheltered places, chatting together in great good humour, and occasionally indulging in obstreperous laughter. They generally exhibit a picture of rosy health; the women in particular, with their jet black hair, and clear, brisk, black eyes, possess a ruddiness which, according to Turner, the most florid English rustic would in vain attempt to rival. Yet they are far from being cleanly in their habits; nor are their manners and amusements of a refined cast. A bull fight is a favourite exhibition, for which purpose they train the largest and fiercest animals of the species that can be procured. They are led to the ground well secured with strong ropes fastened to them, struggling violently as if impatient of restraint, and rolling their prominent eyes with fury as if instructed in the fierce purpose for which they are brought together. Being released for the conflict, they do not rush instantly together, but advance cautiously, eyeing each other askance, until being within a short distance, they rush together with a dreadful concussion; and the contest continues until one or other is overpowered by the superior strength of his antagonist, when they are separated.
The temperature, from the elevation of the country, is so cold that the inhabitants require warm covering; and hence their clothing consists of thick woollen cloths. Their mode of living is simple; their food consisting of fruits, vegetables, and roots. Tea is as common a refreshment as in China, but the mode of preparation is extremely different. It is not merely an infusion which is here used. The tea itself is beat up with water, flour, butter, salt, and other ingredients, which are all mixed together. This is a regale not much suited to a European palate, yet it is said by those who have visited the country to become more