22 HILLS OF BEHAR. Chap. I. 



which its course is strewn. East and west the several sharp 

 ridges of the mountain itself are seen ; the western con- 

 siderably the highest. Immediately below, the mountain 

 flanks appear clothed with impenetrable forest, here and 

 there interrupted by rocky eminences ; while to the north the 

 grand trunk road shoots across the plains, like a white 

 thread, as straight as an arrow, spanning here and there the 

 beds of the mountain torrents. 



On the south side the vegetation was more luxuriant 

 than on the north, though, from the heat of the sun, the 

 reverse might have been expected. This is owing partly 

 to the curve taken by the ridge being open to the south, 

 and partly to the winds from that quarter being the moist 

 ones. Accordingly, trees which I had left 3000 feet below 

 in the north ascent, here ascended to near the summit, 

 such as figs and bananas. A short-stemmed palm 

 {Phoenix) was tolerably abundant, and a small tree 

 (Pterospermum) on which a species of grass grew epiphy- 

 tically ; forming a curious feature in the landscape. 



The situation of the principal temple is very fine, below 

 the saddle in a hollow facing the south, surrounded by 

 jungles of plantain and banyan. It is small, and contains 

 little worthy of notice but the sculptured feet of Paras-nath, 

 and some marble Boodh idols ; cross-legged figures with 

 crisp hair and the Brahminical cord. These, a leper 

 covered with ashes in the vestibule, and an officiating 

 priest, were all we saw. Pilgrims were seen on various 

 parts of the mountain in very considerable numbers, passing 

 from one temple to another, and generally leaving a few 

 grains of dry rice at each ; the rich and lame were carried 

 in chairs, the poorer walked. 



The culminant rocks are very dry, but in the rains may 

 possess many curious plants ; a fine Kalanchoe was common, 



