sheer want of ordinary care, they rot and die.


[1] The _bael_ or wood-apple is a sacred wood with Hindoos. It is
enjoined in the Shastras that the bodies of the dead should be
consumed in a fire fed by logs of bael-tree; but where it is not
procurable in sufficient quantity, the natives compound with their
consciences by lighting the funeral pyre with a branch from the
bael-tree. It is a fine yellow-coloured, pretty durable wood, and
makes excellent furniture. A very fine sherbet can be made from
the fruit, which acts as an excellent corrective and stomachic.

[2] Deaths from actual snake bite are sadly numerous; but it appears
from returns furnished to the Indian Government that Europeans
enjoy a very happy exemption. During the last forty years it would
seem that only two Europeans have been killed by snake bite, at
least only two well substantiated cases. The poorer classes are
the most frequent victims. Their universal habit of walking about
unshod, and sleeping on the ground, penetrating into the grasses
or jungles in pursuit of their daily avocations, no doubt conduces
much to the frequency of such accidents. A good plan to keep
snakes out of the bungalow is to leave a space all round the
rooms, of about four inches, between the walls and the edge of the
mats. Have this washed over about once a week with a strong
solution of carbolic acid and water. The smell may be unpleasant
for a short time, but it proves equally so to the snakes; and I
have proved by experience that it keeps them out of the rooms.
Mats should also be all firmly fastened down to the floor with
bamboo battens, and furniture should be often moved, and kept
raised a little from the ground, and the space below carefully