NATURALIST IN INDIA. 65 



sky ; some- capped with snow, others half-covered, with bare 

 dark patches intervening, and all the various shades of 

 colour produced thereby. The sun's last rays gave a fine 

 pink appearance to the snow, the cool breeze came puffing 

 like a trade-wind, whUe I gazed on in wonder and astonish- 

 ment. Anon the scene changed ; no more the golden rays 

 were visible, for the sun soon sank behind the lofty western 

 mountains, and left the deep blue sky and the desolate waste 

 of scenery dim and indistinct on the distant horizon. 



The soil of the mountains and valleys is very productive. 

 On the mountain-sides small terraces are made, one above 

 another, and irrigated by turning on the nearest stream, 

 which, if distant, is conveyed by means of hollow trees. 

 Bice, wheat, barley, iadian-com, and batu,* constitute the 

 staple products of this region. 



Every valley (or khud) has its little stream, whose banks 

 are covered with shrubs and trees, sometimes so dense as to 

 be impermeable, thus contrasting with the higher elevations, 

 where we find the rhododendron and forest trees in all their 

 magnificence and beauty. 



As the productions of the Himalayas vary, so are there 

 varieties in their scenery. Each region has an attraction 

 peculiar and distinctive, whether among the tangled jungle 

 of the lesser ranges, or high in the region of forest, or still 

 further up among the stunted birch, upon the confines of 

 eternal snow. 



The natives of the lower Himalaya ranges (Paharees, as 

 they are called) have little ia common with their neighbours 

 in the plains of India. 



They are rather under the middle height, spare and 

 wiry, with copper-coloured skins. Some of the women are 



* Amaranthiis cruenttcs. 

 F 



