64 WANDERINGS OF A 



almost magically. Mountain-sides, that before appeared bare 

 and desolate, became clothed with luxuriant vegetation in a few 

 days. The fir {Pinu&. longifolia) crowns the mountain-brow, 

 while in the valleys flourish oak, walnut, andmulberry. Cher- 

 ries, apricots, and plums, are ripe before the commencement of 

 the rains ; however, in point of flavour, none of these fruits are 

 to be compared with the productions of Cashmere and Ladakh. 

 A tendency to double returns in one year may be observed in 

 some fruit-trees, for during genial November weather I have 

 seen cherry-trees in bloom, and even the fruit ripening until 

 checked by the cold of the following month. 



The monsoon ceases towards the end of August, and is 

 succeeded by clear skies and a mild temperature. About the 

 middle of ITovember the cold weather sets in, and the distant 

 peaks are seen tipped with snow. In January it often falls on 

 the ranges next the plains, and for six weeks at this season 

 the climate is almost British, 



From April to June the thermometer averages from 76° to 

 80° in European houses ; but, though at mid-day the heat is 

 often very oppressive, the mornings and evenings are cool and 

 agreeable. 



It is a splendid sight to behold the moon on a clear night 

 rising over the tops of these mighty mountains, or the bright 

 sun casting his last rays over the snowclad sides of the 

 sacred ranges of Jumnootri and Ghangutri. I can never 

 forget the magnificent panorama which burst on my view 

 when hunting one afternoon : — I had wandered rather farther 

 than usual, so that I found myself near the summit of a high 

 peak as the sun was setting. Before me stretched, far as the 

 eye could reach, from east to west, one vast chain of moun- 

 tains. There was the noble peak of Kilas, 21,000 feet above 

 the level of the sea, and others, shooting their crests to the 



