Mr. H. T. Colebrooke's Remarks on the Setlej River. 377 



Leaving the forest, they descended by a narrow rocky path, among dark 

 thickets of oaks, holly, yew, and horse chesniit. They here crossed the 

 Saildang torrent, by three rude alpine bridges, over as many large and very 

 rapid streams, which flow, or rather rush from their sources in the Himalaya 

 to the southward, descending, in a succession of cascades, to the Setlej, a 

 couple of miles below the bridges. 



After crossing the Saildang there was a mile and a half of very steep 

 ascent, which required some agility to surmount, without slipping down the 

 precipice. Rank grass, from 8 to 10 feet high, concealed the intricacies of 

 the path, and rendered it necessary to pick the way with the utmost caution. 

 Thence to Tardnda the road led through woods of pine. It rained heavily 

 all day, and the baggage did not arrive till sunset. 



Tardnda is 7jlOO feet above the sea. Gneiss and mica slate appear to 

 predominate here, and granite is not so frequent. . Nearly opposite this, to 

 the south, the Himulaya mountains may be said to end. 



The travellers halted for a day on account of rain, and proceeded on the 

 following (18 Sept.) to Surdn, a tiresome journey, made more disagreeable 

 and fatiguing by incessant rain. 



They crossed the Chaunde, a large and impetuous stream, by a dangerous 

 sango of two thin spars, one much lower than the other, and traversed a 

 dark forest of oak and holly. Inclined rocks, and soil drenched with rain 

 aggravated difficulty to danger. In fording a rapid stream, in which they 

 were completely drenched, many of the loads were soaked with water. 

 Some of the geological specimens were rendered useless by the writing on 

 the paper envelopes being effaced ; and the whole of the botanical collection, 

 with the exception of very few plants, was entirely destroyed. 



Maniati ghdtl, the ordinary stage between Tardnda and Stirdn, parts 

 Kundivar from Dasau, another of the great division^ of Basehar. The 

 country westward assumes a more civilized appearance : villages are more 

 thickly studded, cultivation more abundant, and not so circumscribed by 

 huge masses of rock. Numerous rills trickle down from the mountains, and 

 afford ample supplies for the fields, which are chiefly rice. 



Siirdn, 7,250 feet above the level of the sea, is the summer residence of the 

 Basehar Ri'ijd and his court. The climate is fine. Three miles from this, 

 near the Setlej, are hot springs. Formerly human sacrifices were offered at 

 a remarkable temple sacred to Bhiin'd Cali, the patroness o^ Basehar. They 

 have been disused since the British conquest. 



