MKDELPAD. 39 



part were small, but some of considerable 

 dimensions grew about the sides of the 

 hill. 



When at the summit, we looked down 

 on the country beneath, varied with plains 

 and cultivated fields, villages, lakes, rivers, 

 &c. We saw the appearance of a smoke 

 between us and the lower part of the 

 mountain, which was not perceptible as we 

 descended, being a slight mist or exhalation 

 from the ground. The dung of the hare 

 was observable all over the very highest 

 part of the hill; a certain proof of that ani- 

 mal's frequenting even these lofty regions. 



We endeavoured to descend on the south 

 side, which was the steepest, and where 

 rocks were piled on rocks. We were 

 often obliged to sit down, and in that po- 

 sition to shde for a considerable way. Had 

 we then met with a loose fragment of rock, 

 or a precipice, our lives had been lost. 

 About the middle of this side of the moun- 

 tain, an Eagle Owl (Striv Bubo) started 

 up suddenly before us. It was as large as 



