FOREST SURVEYING 39 



place in Hindu mythology, with innumerable minor 

 ranges covered with almost unexplored forest ; precipices 

 of fearful height ; enormous glaciers, deep valleys, and 

 rushing mighty rivers. There was a peaceable, well- 

 governed population, not too numerous ; things of in- 

 terest on every side ; and, last but not least, game of all 

 sorts in plenty. Here was a prospect of independent 

 work, entirely suited to the taste of a lover of the forests 

 and the wild beauties of nature. It is generally trouble- 

 some for private individuals to get very far in the ex- 

 ploration of the higher hills, owing to the difficulties of 

 transport. Provisions and camp equipage have to be 

 carried on the backs or heads of coolies, who belong to 

 the scattered villages, and have to be taken from their 

 work of cultivation, which they do not like to leave. 

 But they are bound by treaty to supply porters from 

 every village for civil officers travelling on official work, 

 and come more or less cheerfully. No shirking could be 

 cdlowed to prevent the surmounting of the most unfre- 

 quented hills, and every valley and pathless ridge had 

 to be traversed somehow. The instructions were given 

 by the secretary of the North-West Provinces Govern- 

 ment, Public Works Department, to the Forest Surveyor 

 every six months, and the report and maps had to be 

 sent in through the Commissioner. So that there was 

 no official interference in the course of the season's 

 operations. Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond, R.E., was 

 a kind and approving head of his department. 



The climate was always excellent, as one could choose 

 the elevation according to the season of the year, the 

 highest hills in the hot weather, while in the cold there 

 was work in the plains. Naini Tal was the head-quarters 

 during the rains, when the mapping was done. The 

 province of Kumaon was the first undertaken. 



