286 Captain Gerard's Account of' a Survey 



it is : — on ascending the southern slope of the snowy range, 

 the extreme height of cultivation is 10,000 feet; and even 

 there the crops are frequently cut green. The highest habi- 

 tation is 9500 feet; 11,800 feet may be reckoned the upper 

 limit of forest, and 12,000 that of bushes : although in a few- 

 sheltered situations, such as ravines, dwarf birches and small 

 bushes are found almost at 13,000 feet. 



In the valley of the Baspd river, the highest village is at 

 11,400 feet; the cultivation reaches to the same elevation; 

 and the forest extends to 13,000 feet at the least. 



Advancing further, you find villages at 13,000 feet, culti- 

 vation at 13,600 feet, fine birch trees at 14,000 feet, and 

 tama bushes, which furnish excellent firewood, at 17,000 

 feet. 



To the eastward, towards Manassarovar, by the accounts 

 of the Tartars, it would appear that crops and bushes thrive 

 at a still greater height. 



The travellers descended the valley of the SMlti river to 

 its confluence with the Sumdo river, and ascended to the crest 

 of the Hukeo pass, of which the elevation is 15,786 feet. 

 The soil is reddish, apparently decomposed limestone, with no 

 large stones. The ground is thickly covered with green sward 

 and beds of prickly bushes. No rocky points are seen, the 

 whole being gentle slopes of gravel, much resembling some of 

 the Scotch Highlands ; the tama at a distance seeming like 

 heath. Yaks and horses were feeding on the surrounding 

 heights ; and the climate was pleasant ; the temperature being 



57°. 



There are the usual piles of stones to mark the crest of the 

 pass, and a great number built upon all the surrounding 

 heights. At a distance they could not be distinguished from 

 men ; and were taken at first sight, by the servants, for Chi- 

 nese come to dispute the pass. The guides assured them 

 they were piles of stone ; and a view through a telescope con- 

 firmed the assertion. 



Three of the people, who were attending the cattle, watched 

 the party for some time, until being convinced there were 

 Europeans, they mounted their horses, and set off at a gallop. 

 The travellers quickened their pace, determined to advance as 



