Mr. H. T. Colebbooa'e's Remarks on the SetleJ River. 345 



To the east and south-east was seen a low part of the Himalayan range. 

 Its altitude is much less than that of Shdtul ; but it is rendered impassable 

 by a perpendicular wall of gneiss, that forms an impracticable barrier for 

 several miles. 



The snow became more frequent as they ascended, till they attained the 

 crest of a ridge, at the elevation of 13,450 feet, where it is continuous at 

 that early season. A month later, it would be dissolved. Upon the snow, 

 at the greater height of Shdtdl, were many insects like mosquitoes : at first 

 they were torpid ; but sunshine revived them. Some birds were seen, 

 resembling ravens. Mosses were found on the few rocks. 



The travellers halted for the night at Kanijdn, under the shade of a large 

 rock, at the height of 13,400 feet, whence the steep ascent of the pass 

 begins. There were plenty of flowers where the snow had melted, but no 

 bushes. The firewood was brought from the last camp. 



From this spot the ascent seemed appalling. The crest was nearly 2,200 

 feet higher. Here and there a rock projected its black head ; all else was 

 a dreary solitude of unfathomable snow, aching to the sight, and without 

 trace of a path. 



The travellers found the snow, which was soft at mid-day, afford good 

 footing, and reached the summit with less fatigue than they anticipated. 

 They remained the night and following day at the crest of the pass, 

 and suffered much from head-ache and difficulty of breathing, usually 

 experienced at such elevated positions. It snowed in the evening. The 

 temperature did not rise above 41° at noon : it was 24° and 26° at sunrise 

 (9th and 10th of June). 



On the subsequent day, they descended upon the same side, and pro- 

 ceeded along the dell of the Andret'i, a branch of the Pabar river, rising 

 near Shdtul, and halted on the bank of a rivulet called Dingru, at an 

 elevation of 12,300 feet, just above the limit of the forest. The lowest point 

 in the dell was 11,100 feet. Leeks were gathered at the height of 12,000 

 feet. The ground was here a rich sward, cut up in grooves by a large 

 kind of field-rat, without a tail.* 



Capt. Gerard and his brother continued to explore the glens and valleys 

 of the tributary streams of the Pabar river ; in particular the valley of the 



Spalax (Mus typhlus) .' 



