204 CLIMATE. 



valley never falls heavy ; the height of the outer chain of 

 the Himmalehs being sufficient to exclude the rains that 

 deluge India for three months. Mr. Colebrooke, speaking 

 of Zoncheng, a village among these mountains whose height 

 is 14,700 feet, which in latitude 31° 36' N., according to 

 received theory, should be buried in everlasting snow, as- 

 sures us that the case is far different. On every side of 

 the glen, which is a bowshot across, appeared gently sloping 

 hills, for the most part covered with tama, or Tartaric furze. 

 The banks of the river were covered with grass-turf and 

 prickly bushes. Around the land was covered with ver- 

 dure ; flocks of sheep were browsing, and deer leaping ; 

 altogether it was a romantic spot, wanting but trees to make 

 it delightful. Gerrard, on the crest of the Huketo pass, 

 15,786 feet high, observed yaks and horses feeding on the 

 surrounding heights ; and the climate was pleasant, the 

 temperature being 57° F. On Zinchen, which is 16,136 

 feet high, and on the neighbouring mountains, horses were 

 observed galloping about in all directions, and feeding on 

 the very tops of the heights; kites and eagles were soaring 

 in the air ; large flocks of small birds like linnets were flymg 

 about, and locusts jumping among the bushes. The cli- 

 mate is very diflferent from that experienced in crossing the 

 outer rano-e of the Himmalehs at the same season. Here, 

 at the height of 16,000 and 17,000 feet, is abundance of 

 fuel {met^h, bearing a beautiful yellow flower and no 

 prickles), good water, and a serene sky ; there, at an i«/e- 

 rior elevation, no firewood is nearer than five or six miles, 

 the clouds hang around the mountains, the sun is scarcely 

 visible, and showers of rain are frequent. At the village 

 of Pui, at an elevation of 13,600 feet, there are cultivated 

 fields of barley, phapnr, and turnips. A little lower tne 

 ground was covered with thyme, sage, and many other aro- 

 matic plants, besides juniper, sweetbrier, and g&oseberries. 

 Here also are vineyards and groves of apricots.* At Dab- 

 ling there was much cultivation, with plantations of apricots 

 and walnuts. During Captain Gerrard's residence here 

 (August) the temperature was warm, varying from 61° F. 



* The apricots form a pan of the subsistence of the people. At this 

 season they are pulled, and exposed to the sun on the roofs of tue 

 hoases; -when dried they are not unlike pruneB. 



