1042 Remarks on the Geology, S?c. [Dec. 



throughout the mountains. That they have been produced artificially 

 by man, is evident from these two facts, it is also the method 

 adopted in cultivating the mountains at the present day ; we never 

 however, (at least very seldom) see cultivation carried to the summit 

 of mountains, which appears generally to have been the case in 

 former times, shewing that husbandry must have been carried to a 

 much greater extent by the former inhabitants of the hills. There is 

 another fact pointed out to us by Mr. G. Clerk, which goes far, if 

 other evidence was wanted, to prove, that the terraces generally were 

 produced by artificial means, viz. that in those places where they 

 are well marked, we never see old trees, and again in those places 

 where there is not a vestige of them, we meet with trees of great 

 dimensions, pointing out that in all probability these tracts were 

 unworthy of cultivation, and that therefore any thing was allowed 

 to grow ; in general where the latter occur the acclivity is steep.* 



In regard to the different parts of a mountain. The foot among 

 the Himmalehs is generally found, owing to the steepness of the 

 acclivity, to occupy but a very small proportion ; the acclivity is 

 always the most extensive part, its angle varying from a few degrees, 

 to the mural. The summit in general is very steep, and frequently 

 truncated, if we may be allowed to use the expression. Soil. The 

 superincumbent soil, from the nature of the rocks, is in many places 

 very good, presenting a rich vegetation. It is of two kinds, trans- 

 ported and untransported ; of the former, we have five examples in the 

 valley ascending from Pinjore to Bunnassur, being in many places 

 upwards of 150 feet in thickness, and with boulders, many of an 

 enormous size, of rocks quite different from those we meet with in the 

 neighbourhood. In crossing Hurreepore bridge, and ascending to- 

 wards Subbathoo, there is another fine example. That these are 

 transported soils, is evident, not only from the nature of the boulders 

 which occur, embedded ; but also from their form being always 

 rounded, shewing that they must have been brought from some dis- 

 tance, and subjected to considerable attrition. Into the age of these 

 deposits we shall afterward inquire, our examination as yet being 

 of too trivial a nature to allow us to speak definitely. It has been 



* Dr. Griffith in his account of the mission to Boutan, states, that he found many 

 of the " lower mountains curiously marked with transverse ridges." These he fur- 

 ther adds, "have much of the appearance of ancient terrace cultivation, but on 

 inquiry, was assured that such was not their origin." He does not give any explana- 

 tion as to the manner in which they were produced ; probably, however, they may have 

 been found in the same manner as the Scotch parallel roads. For Dr. G's. re- 

 marks, see Journal of the Asiatic Society, New Series. 



