376 Mr. H. T. Colebrooke' s Remarks on the Setlej River, 



Arriving at the summit, the road again descended into an abyss 1,200 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 vast masses 

 of granite with frightful velocity and noise. The cascades formed by the 

 rocks in its bed, throw up the spray to an amazing height, washing the crags 

 which are loaded with a rank vegetation. In the dell of this torrent lies 

 tlie secluded district of fFdtigpd, containing seven small villages. 



The Wanger is formed by two streams : one called Surch, rises amongst 

 the snow, the other, which retains the common name, proceeds from the 

 foot of Tdri pass. 



Pinu is about four marches from JVdngpd ; and it was by the Tdri pass, 

 Messrs. Gerard intended to return, could they have prevailed on the Lqfa 

 to concede to their wishes. The pass is not reckoned so high as Mdnerang, 

 and probably does not exceed 17,000 feet. 



After crossing the Tfangar by a wooden bridge, the road continues along 

 the edge of the SelleJ for half a mile to JVangto, where there is a bridge of 

 ropes across the river. Its breadth within the banks (which are of granite) 

 is here 92 feet. It is the narrowest point : the average breadth in this part 

 is from 250 to 300 feet. The bed of the river is 5,200 feet above the 

 sea. 



Messrs. Gerard stopped in a large natural cave till three o'clock, and 

 having seen their baggage across, proceeded to Kangdneo, by a very steep 

 and rugged ascent, and then along a well cultivated hill face. 



The journey was troublesome and fatiguing. It rained, slightly at first, 

 but latterly poured down in torrents. 



Nangdneo is a tolerably sized village, 6,900 feet high (above the sea). A 

 few grapes are cultivated in this district ; but, owing to the periodical rains, 

 do not thrive. Pear trees, bearing large and abundant fruit, are frequent 

 near the villages. The fruit is dried upon the tops of houses, and forms part 

 of the winter stock. 



Proceeding towards Tdrdndd, the travellers passed through a beautiful 

 woodof stately pines, many of them from 20 to 27 feet in girth ; the pines 

 are called Kelri by the natives. This timber is almost everlasting. It 

 resists the attack of insects, and is therefore used in the construction of 

 temples, houses, and granaries. It seldom occurs below 6,000 feet, nor 

 above 12,000 feet from the level of the sea. 



W 



