1844.] and on Gerard's Account of Kundwar. 239 



During 1841-42, the winds in the districts above-mentioned, blew 

 almost constantly from the South or South-west, as noticed by Ge- 

 rard. A northerly wind was of rare occurrence. During the winter 

 months, the wind was such as would be termed high or strong, and it 

 was frequently varied by gusts of great violence. During the summer, 

 the wind usually arose about noon, blew with moderate force, and 

 subsided when night had fairly set in. The constancy of the wind 

 from one quarter deserved some attention. 



Of the seasons towards the junction of the Sutlej and Pitti rivers it 

 may be said, that there is frequent snow from the middle of Novem- 

 ber to the middle of March ; occasional light snow or rain according 

 to the elevation, till the end of April ; but May is fine, and a very 

 pleasing month after the dreariness of winter. In June and early in 

 September, there are some light showers. In July, August, and dur- 

 ing half of October, showers are rare, but the sky is frequently cloudy 

 or overcast. The occasional showers of the lower spots are falls of 

 snow in the higher hills ; and the ranges may be seen all hoary down 

 to a certain level, the division being horizontal and well defined, while 

 in early spring, the valleys remain filled with snow while the ridges 

 are clear. Towards the middle of October, snow begins to fall on the 

 lower peaks from time to time, and towards the end of November, it 

 may be looked for every where; years however have been known in 

 which no snow fell, or at least none to speak of. 



Rain and Snow — Mud Walls. — As a proof of the absence of rain and 

 snow, (in the Bhotee districts adjoining Kunawar,) I may mention, 

 that the houses in Spitti are half-built of stones, with the upper 

 story of unburnt bricks — Gerard, p. 95, Note. 



Snow falls frequently or almost constantly in these districts in the 

 months of December, January and February. Walls of unburnt 

 bricks are besides no argument for the absence of snow and rain. In 

 India, the walls of houses are of mud, and in the N. W. Provinces 

 the roofs are also of the same material. In the Bhotee districts in 

 question, as elsewhere, the people clear the roofs of their houses of 

 snow after each fall. The rain is seldom if ever so heavy as to have 

 any effect. 



Snow Glaciers. — Divided by precipitous mountains of amazing 

 height most usually veiled in everlasting snow, Gerard, p. 5 ; vast 



2 n 



