4G Captain Gerard's Act ount of a Survey 



forest of straggling pines, of the species called lii or Niora (Mr 

 Elphinstone's Chilguza.) It does not here flourish to the west- 

 ward of Wanghu. The road rises and falls upon sharp point- 

 ed rocks, and now and then a flight of steps occurs. Opposite 

 is the confluence of the Baspa with the Setlej. Its waters make 

 a very considerable addition to this far-travelled river. The 

 road descends precipitously (2600 feet) to Rungar, a small 

 stream. The face of the hill is unwooded, but beautifully di- 

 versified with wild flowers, and clothed with rich pastures for 

 thousands of sheep. Hence to Miru or Mirting, a small vil- 

 lage 8550 feet above the sea, the path ascends and descends 

 amidst dwarf pines and oaks. 



The Yula, a considerable stream which rises amongst the snow 

 in the N. W. and falls into the Setlej, was crossed 1200 feet 

 below the village. On its banks are many fertile fields. Thence 

 the road ascends through a wood of oak and holly, which af- 

 fords shelter to many varieties of pheasants ; passes the village 

 of Urni, and arrived at Tholang, a village containing fifty- 

 five families, and agreeably situated on both banks of a rivu- 

 let. It is 7300 feet above the level of the sea. The whole 

 of the rocks in this tract are gneiss. In several spots the 

 ground had been torn up by bears in search of the honey of 

 the field-bee, which is here common. 



At a short distance from Chegaon, the road passes under 

 a natural arch of granite formed by the contact of two im- 

 mense blocks. The travellers then descended to the Setlej, 

 and continued for several miles along its banks, sometimes a 

 little elevated above it, more frequently dipping down to the 

 edge of the stream, which is very rapid. The rocks on both 

 sides are worn into many caves, which re-echo the roar of the 

 Tiver with tenfold noise. 



A very dangerous ascent was next encountered along the 

 face of smooth ledges of granite, very steeply inclined to the 

 Setlej. In these the nitches for support scarce admitted half 

 the foot, and were cut at very inconvenient distances. 



Arriving at the summit, the road again descended into an 

 abyss 1200 feet deep. The distance was but half a mile, 

 which shows the steepness of the slope. 



The Wangar, a mountain torrent, here tears its way amongst 



