1 OF THE PUNJAtJB. 47
2 and trees adapted for fuel are rare, in conse-
3 quence of which the natives follow the practice of
4 the people of Hindostan, and use cow-dung.
5 The mineral wealth of the Punjaub is con-
6 siderable, but under the government of the Sikhs
7 scarcely anything has been done to evolve and
8 bring it into use. Iron, copper, lead, salt, coal,
9 nitre, plumbago^ and even gold mines abound in
10 the country, and properly worked would furnish
11 an enormous revenue. A jealousy of European
12 interference and influence has hitherto caused
13 these treasures of the earth to be neglected.
14 Animal life in a great variety of forms abounds
15 in the country of the Sikhs. Lions, tigers, pan-
16 thers, leopards, are found in the jungles, as are
17 wolves, lynxes, hyenas, bears, wild boars, foxes,
18 jackals, otters, weasels, martins, porcupines, &c.
19 The deer tribe are numerous, from the goat to the
20 sambre, and there is no deficiency of the bat
21 family ; some of the larger of which latter are,
22 according to Von Hiigel, held in sacred estima-
23 tion by the most devout followers of the Sikh
24 religion. Camels are numerous; buflTaloes and
25 sheep are found in large herds and flocks. The
26 flesh of cattle is however respected by the Sikhs,
27 who only use the milk of the cow and the wool
28 of the sheep, in addition to the skins or hides of
29 either animal, which form an article of export.
30 The Sikhs are extensive breeders of horses, in