Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 360

320
DRAWBACKS
IN
NATURE
They have not the strength, vigour, or activity
One European workman would, under any
circumstances, do at least as much as two natives. This
Europeans.
of the latter.
constitutional weakness, which is partly inherent, is greatly
increased by the hardships and privations that they are
condemned to bear all their lives.
The climate, which is the chief cause of the degeneration
of the human race in these countries, exercises a no less
fatal influence in the animal and vegetable kingdoms.
Green stuff, roots, and fruits are for the most part insipid
and tasteless, and do not possess half the nutritive value of
very few may be cited as ex-
those grown in Europe.
The vegetable products of India
ceptions to this rule.
included in our list of groceries are pungent enough to
destroy the membrane of one's throat. Again, the in-
digenous flowers, with two or three exceptions, have no
Lastly, the trees and shrubs to be found in the
scent.
forests or in uncultivated places are generally covered
with thorns and prickles. The elephant and tiger are
strong and vigorous enough, but all the other animals,
whether wild or domesticated, share in the universal
What we call butcher's meat has very little
debilitation.
succulence in it, and there is nothing in the flavour of the
game that would tempt the least fastidious European
Vainly would one search for a good hare or part-
palate.
ridge.
One is inclined to think that nature here has re-
duced the nutritive value of all animals and vegetables in
proportion to the weakness of the human beings whose food
they are to be.
But as a cruel compensation, nature is prodigal with
creatures that are hurtful, and with many things that are
The forests and jungles are inhabited by
useless, to man.
elephants, tigers, and other wild animals which are deadly
The country is
foes to man and his flocks and herds.
overrun with snakes and other deadly reptiles, while birds
Every
of prey may be seen everywhere in large numbers.
kind of irritating, destructive, and abominable insect
swarms and multiplies in a manner that is equally sur-
Even poisonous plants are by no
prising and annoying.
means uncommon, and their hurtful properties show no
signs of deterioration.
A