afifi. Mr. H. T. Colebroojste's Remarks on the Setlej River. 



a space of 100 yards of gravel and stones moves downwards at once, and 

 the larger stones, bounding over the slopes, are showered to the bottom 

 amidst much confusion and noise. Now and then nitches for the point of 

 the foot were cut : and Messrs. Gerard, not taking off their shoes, as their 

 followers did, were often obliged to grasp the nearest person's hand. They 

 reached the top without accident, much wearied with climbing, and rested 

 upon the verge of the gulph, and enjoyed a refreshing breeze at the height 

 of 12,700 feet, blowing over an extensive tract, which resembles a heath. 

 Thence they descended to the village of Liu, which occupies a slip of land 

 on the right bank and in the bed of the Spiti, embosomed by sterile masses, 

 glowing under the ardor of a tropical sun. From this the climate acquires 

 a delicious softness. On tlie east is a solitary rock sixty feet high, which 

 was formerly the site of a fort now in ruins : southward, the plain is washed 

 by a stream called LIpak, falling into the SptH a bowshot distance. 



They halted on the 15tli August, on account of rain. In the evening, 

 when it cleared, they visited the Spiti, which is here broad. It was 

 measured 258 to Syi feet wide. The river is rapid, and at this season 

 appears to contain a greater body of water than the Setlej. The snow had 

 within two days descended on the granite range of mountains across the 

 Spiti, to 16,000 feet. At Nciko, judging from the heiglits before deter- 

 mined, it was certainly not under 18,500 feet. 



Crossing the Lipak uuder the village, by a firm and well raised sango, 

 they resumed their journey (l6th August) and ascended, by a steep path 

 over granite and mica slate, to tiie height of 11,600 feet above the sea, and 

 proceeded at this level for a mile, winding round sharp projections of rocks 

 into recesses, in and out again, where the pathway bordered upon preci- 

 pices of 2,000 and 3,000 feet. They turned tlieir backs upon the Li or 

 Spiti, and its deep abyss, and entered the Chdling dell, which sends its 

 waters to that river. 



The mountains have an extremely sterile and parched aspect. No grass 

 covers them ; and a few tufts of aromatic plants are all the vegetation tlrey 

 here present. The appearance of a village and green fields was singularly 

 refreshing. Those of Chdldng and Hard were passed, to encamp at 

 Hdngo. 



This village is 11,400 feet above the sea ; situate at the head of a dell in 

 the bosom of cultivation. There are a few poplars, but no apricots. The 

 luxuriance of the crops can scarcely be exceeded. The ear of the Siberian 



