1833.] kept at Kotgarh, Subatha, &c. 617 
rainy and winter seasons, on the hither or Indian side of the Himalaya range (the 
opposite or ultra side of the Himalaya being little subjected, and that only for a 
short distance into the interior, from the loftiness of this grand and extensive bar- 
rier of mountains separating India from other parts of Asia, to such a deluge), are 
more astonishing to the beholder than I have words to describe, and their total dis- 
appearance in a short space of time (sometimes indeed almost in a moment) is equal- 
ly surprising. I have often remarked these without any apparent cause during calm 
settled weather, moving in all directions in heavy loose masses; at other times with 
incredible velocity, resembling spray, down a ridge or valley, till they reach a cer- 
tain point, when they evaporate, and in an instant disappear. Sometimes they may 
be seen in all shapes and curious forms, and frequently they accumulate and dis- 
perse in a manner quite astonishing to the spectator. They will rest for days, and 
even weeks, upon the top, and the slopes of the high surrounding ranges and moun- 
tains, defining aclear outline around*, thereby condensing and confining the atmos- 
phere within certain limits at an altitude of 8000 feet and upwards, (rarely at a less 
elevation for any time,) above two or three days, and making it close and some- 
times unpleasant to the feelings, although the thermometer may indicate alow tem- 
perature at the time ; and often in clear, cloudless temperature and mild weather, 
smnall patches may be seen stationary in some places, and suddenly gliding along 
and up the declivity or slope towards the tops of the mountains, and dispersing 
quickly in otherst. 
The principal places at which any number of observations were taken are Ram- 
par, Kotgarh and Subathfi. At intermediate places, during a march or tempo- 
rary halt, the observations taken were recorded. 
The latitude, longitude, and elevation above the level of the seat, together with 
the name of each village, town, and encampment, on the journeys made each year; 
the state in which comprised ; and to what authority now subject, will be found 
detailed in a table or “‘ List of Places, &c.’’ at the end of the abridgement, and other 
tables for each year. 
The point of ebullition and the temperature of springs, rivers, and streams have 
not been omitted at most places in the subsequent sheets, during a journey. The 
utility of the former, when unaccompanied with a barometer, is too evident almost 
to need illustration. It will give a tolerable idea of the elevation of different sta- 
tions; while the second, which were only ascertained at a few places, will nearly 
shew the mean temperature of the year at different altitudes ; and the latter will 
certainly, from the diminution of temperature, indicate a tolerable estimate of the 
distance of the source of the rivers in the water of which the thermometer may 
have been dipped, and an observationtaken of its temperature. If rivers andstreams 
indicate a high temperature, the source of them may reasonably be considered to be 
remote ; but if a low temperature be evinced, the contrary may be supposed to be 
the case. Certain local circumstances and influences may in some degree affect the 
temperature of rivers.”’ 
* These remarks apply to Kofgarh and its neighbourhood, and indeed from Simla up- 
wards, as I can affirm from my own long observation. 
+ The sun’s rays after rising have in general this effect. 
+ For these on the present as wellas on the former occasion [ am indebted to my 
brother, Captain A.GERARD, late Surveyor in Rajputana and Malwa ; and for a few of 
the latter, and partly some of the observations of the barometer and thermometer dur- 
jing my occasional short visits to Snbathu, to my brother Mr. J. G. Gerarp, Surgeon to 
the Ist Nassiri battalion, stationed in these mountains. 
3 L 
