40 SOANE VALLEY. Chap. II. 



previously obtained, and certainly indicates a much higher 

 mean temperature of the locality. I can only suppose it 

 due to the radiation of heat from the long range of sand- 

 stone cliff, exposed to the south, which overlooks the flat 

 whereon we were encamped, and which, though four or five 

 miles off, forms a very important feature. The differences 

 of temperature in the shade taken on this and the other 

 side of the river are 2f ° higher on this side. 



On the 17th we marched to Akbarpore (alt. 400 feet), 

 a village overhung by the rocky precipice of Rotasghur, 

 a spur of the Kymore, standing abruptly forward. 



The range, in proceeding up the Soane valley, gradually 

 approaches the river, and beds of non-fossiliferous limestone 

 are seen protruding below the sandstone and occasionally 

 rising into rounded hills, the paths upon which appear as 

 white as do those through the chalk districts of England. 

 The overlying beds of sandstone are nearly horizontal, or 

 with a dip to the N. W. ; the subjacent ones of limestone 

 dip at a greater angle. Passing between the river and a 

 detached conical hill of limestone, capped with a flat mass 

 of sandstone, the spur of Rotas broke suddenly on the 

 view, and very grand it was, quite realising my anticipa- 

 tions of the position of these eyrie-like hill-forts of India. 

 To the left of the spur winds the valley of the Soane, with 

 low-wooded hills on its opposite bank, and a higher range, 

 connected with that of Behar, in the distance. To the 

 right, the hills sweep round, forming an immense and 

 beautifully wooded amphitheatre, about four miles deep, 

 bounded with a continuation of the escarpment. At the 

 foot of the crowned spur is the village of Akbarpore, 

 where we encamped in a Mango tope ; * it occupies some 



* On the 24th of June, 1848, the Soane rose to an unprecedented height, and 

 laid this grove of Mangos three feet under water. 



