thence the Beykaneer province. The usual route of the caravans was through Joudpore and the province of Jeffelmere; but the rapacity and injustice of the reigning prince, as above related, have, of late years, if not utterly annihilated commerce, at leaft directed its course into other channels: of this neglect the rajah of Jypore has reaped the principal benefit, by turning the most lucrative branches of commerce into his own territories.

The force of Beykaneer may amount on the whole to eight thousand men; two fifths of which are cavalry, and the remainder infantry and artillery. In the fervice of this prince are feveral Europeans of different nations, who refide within the fort of Beykaneer.

The rajah of Beykaneer has many enemies, the principal of which are his neighbours the Batties, whofe country he invaded about nine years fince, but without fuccefs. He has, in like manner, been unfuccefsful in feveral attempts lately made in the district of Churoo.

Confidering the nature of the foil and climate

of this country, it must appear matter of no finall furprize, that any people fhould voluntarily have selected fo barren and unprofitable a fpot for a permanent refidence. In Mr. Thomas's opinion, this determination must have originated in the predilection manifefted by the first fettlers for this dreary folitude; either from a romantic wish for retirement among themfelves, or occafioned by the hatred which they entertained against the oppreffion and injuftice of their former rulers. The natives of this district are robuft, hardy, and excellent farmers.

Adjoining the province of Beykaneer is the district called the Lacky Jungle, fo much and so deservedly celebrated for the fertility of its pasture lands, and for a breed of excellent horses of the highest estimation in India. The Lacky Jungle is comprised within the district of Batinda, forming a circle of about twentyfour coffes of the country each way. On the north it is bounded by the country of Roy Kelaun, eaft by the province of Hurrianah, fouth by Batnier, and weft by the great defert.

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It is fituated twenty-two coss north of Batnier, and fifty weft of Pattialah, to whose chief the rajah is tributary.* The foil being fandy, the wells are of confiderable depth. The country yields rice and bajerah, and other forts of grain, but not in abundance. The chief excellency of the district confifts in its pafture lands, which for a fucceffion of ages have been celebrated as a nursery for cattle. The original breed in this country has been much improved by Persian horses, which were introduced during the fucceffive invafions of Nadir Shah and the Abdallis into Hindooftan. This breed however has of late years been much neglected. This Mr. Thomas attributes to the exactions of the government, or rather to the rapacity of the minifters of the rajah, who frequently compel the proprietors of the horses to fell them at theirown price, much under the real value; and when purchased they are by these rapacious men fent, on their own accounts, to different parts of the peninsula, and fold at a confiderable profit.

* Consult the map.—This part of the country however stands in need of an actual survey, which would be both curious and interesting.

This impolitic measure has not only caused a decrease in the prefent breed, but has also deterred the inhabitants from extending the traffic; though, on the contrary, if the breeders of the horses were allowed a fair and equitable market, and they were to be exempted from thofe vexatious drawbacks, the commerce might again flourish, and the proprietors of land in the Lacky Jungle and its vicinity would have a certain preference in supplying the neighbouring states with plenty of the finest horses in India.

The prices of the horses are variable, and obtain according to the quality of the animal; they are in general from two hundred to one thousand rupees in value, which latter fum is feldom exceeded.

It is remarked that the breeders are averse to difpofe of their brood mares; and if prevailed upon to do fo, will exact double price: though in general with regard to foreigners, they cannot be perfuaded to part with a brood mare for any price.

While breeding, the mares and foals are kept apart from the horfes. The women and children look after them during the day-time. At the feafon of the periodical rains they are allowed to graze, and are brought home at night; but in the cold and dry feafons they are fed upon hay, which is dried in the fame manner as in Europe; a custom common throughout the weft of India.

One thing only diminishes the excellence of this breed, which is a disease of the most diftreffing nature. A fpecies of mufquitoes, called by the natives Dunkh*, and fometimes Fetha, are not only very troublefome to the animals, by annoying them with their ftings, but in a fhort time degenerating into an incurable cancer, the horfes die.

This disorder prevails chiefly in the neigh-.

This is remarkable, and it would no doubt amply recompense the labour any gentleman of science might bestow in investigating the causes of this extraordinary distemper, and pointing out a remedy; more especially, as it seems peculiar to the district called the Lacky Jungle.