a march from Simla to Mussoorie. 191 



which is fordable. After crossing the river there commences a 

 series of fatiguing ascents and descents through well-wooded 

 country. The last fourth part of the march is all uphill. The 

 road is tolerable, but the heat intense in some places, particu- 

 larly in the valley, where there are fine streams for fishing. 



Putturnulla (10,200) : — 6 miles. Several ascents and descents, 

 through dense and grand forest-trees — yews, deodars, oaks, 

 and so forth ; also extensive flat grassy ground on mountain- 

 tops. Abundance of strawberries and wild flowers. Every de- 

 scription of truly grand mountain-scenery. In some places the 

 masses of rock are gigantic, forming entire precipitous hillsides 

 with fir- and cedar-trees on them. In such places the Mooual 

 [Lophopliorm impeyanus], Goorul [Haploceros goural] and Musk- 

 deer abound. The road during the whole march was good. It 

 rained a great deal, and the cold in my small wet tent at this high 

 elevation was great. 



Chepal (6000) : — 10 miles, through some very grand and 

 dense forests. For about a third of the way the road is tolerably 

 good ; then comes a very steep descent over loose, stony, broken 

 ground like a dry watercourse. This continues for very nearly 

 halfway, when the road improves. The road to the high and 

 grand Chore Mountain, about twenty-four miles distant, strikes 

 ofi*. Chepal is a small village. Flies in swarms. 



Pconthree (5500): — 11 miles. The road is tolerable, through 

 a finely-wooded country, with some great ascents and descents. 

 The river Shalla is forded during the march ; and for two or 

 three miles the road runs along its bank. The heat in this 

 valley intense, as also at Peonthree, owing to its lying in a sort 

 of basin. 



Tikri (6000) : — 8 miles. A very fatiguing march ; the road 

 very indifi^erent, with some tremendous ascents, particularly for 

 the last two miles up to Tikri, which is a good-sized village on 

 the top and spur of a hill. The country is more or less barren, 

 and uninteresting. Intensely warm, and swarms of flies. 



Mundhole (4500) : — 5 miles. The road pretty fair, through 

 a well-wooded country. About halfway there is a most fatiguing, 

 steep and long ascent; then a long descent. Mundhole is a 

 village situated in the midst of a great deal of cultivated ground. 



