506 Journal of a trip through Kunawur, fyc. [No 101. 



Viewed from this elevated station also, the majestic grandeur of the 

 neighbouring hills, which enclose the river like two lofty walls, sink 

 into comparative insignificance, and appear with their snow-capped 

 summits like so many glittering pyramids of sugar ; yet they attain to 

 an elevation above the sea of seventeen to twenty thousand feet, and 

 their hoary and time-scarred heads are crowned by everlasting and 

 unfading snows. 



It had been my earnest wish to cross the mighty Pralassa range 

 of mountains, from whose snows the Spiti river is supplied, and to visit 

 the beautiful and extensive lake of Chummor-ra-reel, of which Gerard 

 speaks, but from the unusual depth of snow over all the passes, I 

 found this to be impossible ; for although I had plenty of time before 

 me, and could have waited till the thaws had commenced, yet the 

 chance that before they could be crossed the autumnal falls would 

 again commence, added to the total impossibility of obtaining pro- 

 visions for my people, rendered it necessary that I should beat a 

 speedy retreat from the inhospitable valley, and thus I was reluctantly 

 obliged to quit the district without having accomplished one of the 

 most wished for objects of my journey. 



This lake is said by Gerard to abound with fish, and to be covered 

 in the summer months by flocks of ducks, geese, and other water-fowl, 

 which resort there from the heats of the Provinces. From Puttee Ram 

 and others who have often visited the spot, I heard that its waters 

 were salt, and could not be drank, as they acted like medicine, so that 

 travellers and the wandering Tartar shepherds who sometimes inhabit 

 the borders of the Lake in their black tents of blanket, are obliged to 

 use the water of the snow streams and springs in its neighbourhood. 



From these facts an interesting subject of inquiry arises ; namely, 

 whence did this Lake, situated at an elevation of at least 16,000 feet 

 above the sea and surrounded by hills, whose summits are usually 

 capped with snow throughout the year, derive the fish with which it 

 is now stocked? Are they identical with the species common to 

 our rivers of the Gangetic Provinces, or are they distinct and peculiar 

 to the Lake itself ? 



Doubtless there are many who will infer that they are identical 

 with the species of the Provinces, and that the Lake being the summer 

 resort of water-fowl, the ova have been deposited in its waters through 

 their agency. But to this opinion I feel decidedly averse, from the 



