494 Notes of a trip from Simla to the Spiti Valley. [No. 5, 



allied plant. These berries are pleasant to eat either raw or stewed ; 

 and their expressed juice is of an extremely dark and beautiful pur- 

 ple, and, when mixed with a proper amount of sugar and spirit, and 

 flavoured with a few peach kernels, forms an extremely elegant liqueur. 

 The hemp plant grows here in the utmost profusion as a common 

 weed, and indeed everywhere in this part of the Sutlej valley below 

 7000 feet, but does not seem to be cultivated, though the soil and 

 climate appear to suit it perfectly. It being very wet and the ground 

 completely sodden, I preferred putting up in the verandah of an empty 

 cow-house to my tent, though the midges and fleas in such places are 

 usually very annoying. I was provided, however, with musquitoe 

 curtains, which relieved me almost completely from the attacks of 

 these tiny but implacable enemies, and I would advise no one who 

 values a good night's rest, to travel unprovided with this article. 



l&tli, Saraon, 6632 ft.* — A rather severe march, the road about half 

 way descending into a deep valley and ascending again on the op- 

 posite side by a very steep and in some places difficult path, and 

 joining the new road a few miles from Saraon bungalow, which is the 

 last one completed along the new road. During the summer months, 

 this is the residence of the Bissahir Rajah, a stout sensible young 

 man who speaks English tolerably, and who rode down alone to the 

 bungalow, on hearing of the arrival of a European, unattended by 

 the ragged mob of followers which natives of his rank usually con- 

 sider necessary for their dignity to carry along with them. 



19th, Taranda. — A rather long but very picturesque march, for the 

 first few miles along the new road, through pine forest, or along the 

 sides of precipitous rocky glens opening down to the Sutlej, of which 

 glimpses are now and then caught. The camping ground is situated 

 on the crest of a rather lofty spur, in the midst of a forest of really 

 magnificent cedars, at some little distance above the village. 



20th, Nachar. — About six miles from the last camping ground is 

 the Paindah bungalow which, though finished, is not regularly opened. 

 Before reaching it, the road descends into and crosses a large valley, 

 on the opposite side of which the bungalow is built. Bears, I believe 

 are found in the vicinity, and I have rarely seen ground which I 

 should think would afford them better cover. Before reaching Na- 

 char, a large village is passed, situated on the verge of a forest of the 

 most magnificent cedars I ever beheld. The profound stillness which 



