1842.] of the Himmalay a Mountains. xxxv 



of about the same distance is 948 feet, its confluence with the Ganges 

 having but an elevation of 1,200 feet above the sea. The course of 

 these rivers is parallel to the direction of the valley, and very near the 

 South-western boundary, so that their supplies are almost entirely drawn 

 from the Northern barrier of mountains. The numerous feeders which 

 spring from these, all flow across the valley, shewing, that there is a 

 considerable declivity also in that direction. In fact it is found, that from 

 Rajpoor at the foot of the hills, the fall is regular to within three miles of 

 the Kheree Pass, and amounts to 1,300 feet. Thence to the Kheree Pass 

 is a rise of 618 feet. This line is that of the new road ; it passes through 

 Dhera cantonment, and very nearly, if not exactly, separates the two 

 basins. 



61. The range of hills which bounds the Doon to the Southward, is 

 of peculiar aspect, and presents some very interesting appearances. The 

 total depth of this belt in the widest part is about ten miles. The range 

 is not intersected by vallies with sloping sides, as the great mountain tract 

 is, but by the beds of torrents which are generally bounded on each side 

 by perpendicular precipices, sometimes 500 feet in height. The ridges 

 are extremely narrow, so as to bid defiance to any examination of them, 

 except such as can be effected in the beds of these torrents. The line 

 of water-heads which separates the streams which seek the Doon from 

 those flowing plainward, does not hold a regular course, as compared 

 with the general tendency of the mountain belt, being sometimes at the 

 border of it, as at the Lai Durwaza Pass, sometimes nearly in the middle, 

 as at the Timlee Pass. The former has been stated to have an elevation 

 of 2,935 feet, the latter is only 2,339. The peaks do not rise more 

 than 600 feet above these levels, so that 3,000 to 3,500 may be taken 

 as their general height. 



62. The appearance of this valley is highly picturesque, particularly 

 in the neighbourhood of Dehra. The intermixture of cultivation, in which 

 the fields are defined by hedges, with patches of green, over which are 

 scattered fine groves of trees, the undulation of the surface, and its in- 

 tersection by numerous streams, are features that might almost remind 

 one of the scenery of England. The proximity of lofty mountains occa- 

 sionally clothed with forests, in which the pine, oak, and walnut are 

 conspicuous, gives a variety to the landscape, which viewed at a favorable 

 season, is picturesque and beautiful in a high degree. The soil is gravelly, 



