ermometer averages from 77 deg.
to 80 deg. F. During the south-west monsoon, from the middle of April to
the middle of October, rain falls daily and the temperature varies
between 85 deg. and 95 deg. The wild animals of Cambodia include the
elephant, which is also domesticated, the rhinoceros, buffalo and some
species of wild ox; also the tiger, panther, leopard and honey-bear.
Wild boars, monkeys and rats abound and are the chief enemies of the
cultivator. The crocodile is found in the Mekong, and there are many
varieties of reptiles, some of them venomous. The horse of Cambodia is
only from 11 to 12 hands in height, but is strong and capable of great
endurance; the buffalo is the chief draught animal. Swine are reared in
large numbers. Nux vomica, gamboge, caoutchouc, cardamoms, teak and
other valuable woods and gums are among the natural products.

_People_.--The Cambodians have a far more marked affinity with their
Siamese than with their Annamese neighbours. The race is probably the
result of a fusion of the Malay aborigines of Indo-China with the Aryan
and Mongolian invaders of the country. The men are taller and more
muscular than the Siamese and Annamese, while the women are small and
inclined to stoutness. The face is flat and wide, the nose short, the
mouth large and the eyes only slightly oblique. The skin is dark brown,
the hair black and, while in childhood the head is shaved with the
exception of a small tuft at the top, in later life it is dressed so as
to resemble a brush. Both sexes wear the langouti or loin-cloth, which
the men supplement with a short jacket, the women with a long scarf
draped round the figure or with a long clinging robe. Morose,
superstitious, and given to drinking and gambling, the Cambodians are at
the same time clean, fairly intelligent, proud and courageous. The wife
enjoys a respected position and divorce may be demanded by either party.
Polygamy is almost confined to the richer classes. Though disinclined to
work, the Cambodians make good hunters and woodsmen. Many of them live on
the borders of the Mekong and the great lake, in huts built upon piles or
floating rafts. The religion of Cambodia is Buddhism, and involves great
respect towards the dead; the worship of spirits or local genii is also
wide-spread, and Brahmanism is still maintained at the court. Monks or
_bonzes_ are very numerous; they live by alms and in return they teach
the young to read, and superintend coronatio