NATURALIST IN INDIA. 255 



the other side of Hindostan (which would be, of course, 

 the south-west wind and south-west monsoon), after de- 

 luging the Ghauts, proceed as dry winds to the Hima- 

 laya, in crossing which they are subjected to a low^r tem- 

 perature than that to which they were exposed in cross- 

 ing the Ghauts. Here they drop some of their moisture in 

 the shape of snow and raia, and then pass over into the 

 thirsty lands beyond with scarcely enough rain in them to 

 even make a cloud. Thence they descend into th^ upper air, 

 there to become counter-currents in the general system of 

 atmospheric circulation." As before noticed, in this way the 

 differences can be accounted for in the climate and appear- 

 ance of the Cashmere mountains and those of the rainless 

 and cloudless regions of Ladakh and Chinese Tartary. On 

 the 1st of July 1852 we witnessed a total eclipse of the 

 moon, which the Cashmerees attributed to a huge animal, 

 somewhat in the. shape of a bird, interposing its body between 

 the luminary and the earth. On the occasion in question 

 they were too glad to indtdge their superstitious ideas with a 

 sort of hope that, as more Europeans were in the valley then 

 than had visited it before, it was an omen of the long- 

 cherished wish, that before another year the English would 

 be masters of their country. On the folloj^ing day we com- 

 menced our march towards Ladakh by the ShaUmar gardens 

 and up the vaUey of the Scinde river. The scenery was 

 enchanting, and so home-like, that I do not wonder Mr. 

 Vigne and every English traveller should rave about the resem- 

 blance. He says — " As we advanced, the scenery increased 

 in beauty ; the river becomes larger ; the verdant and forest- 

 clad mountains are indented by straths and defiles ; smaller 

 valleys send down their tributary streamlets to the waters of 

 the Scinde; here and there were seen the cottages and walnut- 



