NATURALIST IN INDIA. 145 



probably finds its way across from the Lower Himalaya. 

 However, the black bear of the Southern Provinces {U. 

 lahiatus) is not found in the Punjaub. 



March 30. — Although the scenery of these mountains is 

 generally devoid of beauty, one will come occasionally on little 

 spots by no means wanting in natural attractions. This momiag 

 we rose at daybreak, and after an hour's toil across a very stony 

 plain covered with briars and thorns, arrived at the brink of a 

 broad ravine, the sides of which were covered with a dense and 

 luxuriant vegetation. The peepul, camelthom, mulberry, and 

 wild fig, formed small shady groves in which the fakirs had built 

 their little temples, surrounded by gardens which rose in ter- 

 races along the steep slopes, where tobacco and the red and 

 white opium-poppy were growing. On a prominence jutting 

 into the ravine stood one of these shrines, which at a distance 

 looked like a miniature castle, and far down among tangled 

 briars and bushes roUed a clear stream, whilst numbers of 

 peafowl in all their native elegance and beauty were saun- 

 tering in front of the temple or perched on the tops of trees — 

 their wild cries resounding through the glen, and now and then 

 one darted past us in all his gorgeous shades of plumage reful- 

 gent in the morning sun. It was an enchanting scene, but as 

 the heat increased every hour, we hurried across the ravine, 

 and on gaining the opposite plateau discovered a herd of 

 houriar, headed as usual by two of the largest rams standing 

 sentry by the prostrate herd. The open nature of the ground, 

 however, prevented a near approach, and obliged me to dis- 

 charge my rifle at a long range, which was no sooner done 

 than all were up and flying with the wind, excepting one of 

 the rams who lagged behind with a broken leg. This poor 

 animal escaped, although pursued by us imder a burning sun 

 for many a mile up MU and down dale. When once disturbed, 



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