The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-27
HERBS ON MOUNTAIN TOPS.
laborious and Dinicult Task Of the SinHali.
Las Aconite Collectors.


Writing about the aconite collected
Darjiling district. who occasionally
make journey to their country, Bhu-
tan, contributor, says: OF the deadly
nightshade tribe, the aconite is plant
which yields to none in the virulens
poison of It's roots It is to be found
growing at an elevation of ten thou
sand feet above the sea level, and
among other places on the Singalilas,
a mountain range which is the water
shed boundary between Natal and Brit
ish territory northwest of Darjiling.
Here two classes of aconite. Aconitum
palmatum and Napelius or Nepalus,
row freely.
Aconitum palmatum is collected in
abundance at Tongloo, the southern
Termination of the Singalilas; but Ne
palus, the more poisonous variety, re-
quirss higher elevation in which to
thrive. It takes kindly to the bleak.
rugged crags of Sundakphoo twelve
thousand nine hundred and twenty
nine feet), and is to be found under the
rhododendron covers and cold, shady
water courses. 1t seldom grows taller
than three feet. single stalk with
blue flowers springing from each bulb
or root. The natives, especially the
hill tribes, take aconite in its crude
state as remedy for various ailments,
and every Bhotiah has few dried
roots put away in some secure corner
of his hut.
Early in October, when the aconite
root has matured, one of the leading
men of the village organizes party
composed of both sexes. He, for the
time being, becomes their leader,
settles all disputes and quarrels while
out in camp, and. while keeping an ac-
count of the general expenses, supplies
to each the daily requirements in the
way of food. His first step is to take
out permit" from the forest depart
ment, which costs fifteen rupees. or
the party is proceeding to the Nepal
hills no permit is required, but toll
is charged at each station on every
load.) He wraps the pass up in rag.
and places it in his network bag OF
valua bles. collects his band together,
and sets out for the higher ranges.
They travel as lightly as possible, each
carrying a thumsi, or large bamboo
basket, which contains brass pot for
cooking, a fat iron spoon to help out
the rice, with sufficient quantity OF
rice and vegetables to last five or six
days. They also carry thick Bhotiah
blanket, with the Indispensable kukri,
or hatchet-knife. used also by the
Goorkhas, fastened through the waist
band. A strong sapling serves as
walking stick and as a support for the
basket, which is not unstrapped from
the back until halt is made. When
tired. they relieve themselves by bal
ancing their load on the stick.
The first stoppage in their march is
generally made near a running stream.
when they remove the burdens off
their backs and light fire or two of
brushwood by the aid of flint and steel
carried in the sheaths of their kukris
They do not drain the water off the
rice, as is generally done. but eat it in
& moist mass on big leaves fetched out
of the jungle. with vegetables fried in
oil, and an amazing number of hot
chillies. One hour sees them through
their meal and ready to continue their
march again. When evening comes on
they make a second halt in some desir-
able place to spend the night. where
they knock up temporary shelters
made of bamboos, to keep off the light
dew. squat around the fires they
have lighted, and crack jokes and
relate adventures they have met with
The head man, who is usually the GEN.
ter of attraction. has fund OF stories
at his command. Or if a lama-as is
not infrequently the case-is the leader
of the party. he gives extracts out of
their religious writings 1t is an In.
teresting sight TO see him perched on
raised bit of ground, with his followers
lying around him in all postures- gaz-
ing with rapt attention while he gives
episodes out of their sacred books
The Bhotiahs are of the Buddhist re.
ligion, and own as their spiritual head
the great lama of Thibet; but the
Buddhism to which they adhere IS
much interviewer with demon worship
As night advances. and the party
think il IS time to retire. they disap'
pear within their bamboo shelters
taking the precautiou TO put their
lukris under their heads in case OF
night attack from the robber tribes
who hover about the frontier Some of
the harder of the Sirbas sleep IN the
open air with blanket about them,
needless OF the cutting winds and tner-
mometer at zero. They are generally
followed By big vooliy Thibe;an dog.
, ferce-looking animal resem bling .
bear. with large blue eyes II sleeps
during tie day and keeps watch At
night. giving low growis every now
and again
AS soon as the party has arrived a. tue
slopes where aconite is plentiful, they
build bamboo huts about five feet high.
with leaves for the roofs and make
the place generally habitable- After
their morning meal. each shoulders Sis
basket and takes . SPADE. FOR whiea
handle has been made from Jungle