1837.] Some account of Iskar do. 773 



come from Yarkand. Six kinds of snakes, one kind only poisonous. 

 I do not think it is the cobra, but have not seen it. Four kinds of 

 water-shells, one very large snail. The butterflies, about fifty varie- 

 ties, I am told, confine themselves to the hills chiefly. 



1 must not forget the burning ground in Kamrdj the west end of the 

 valley, one beautiful confusion of orchards and fig trees. In the space 

 of an acre the ground is burned (calcined) in three places ; no flame 

 is visible, neither any smell. The pandits assemble and cook rice in 

 the heat, and this phenomenon occurs every fourteen or fifteen years 

 on an average ; height 7,800 feet. 



I believe the whole slope of mountains rising from the valley is of 

 schist and secondary limestone up to the height of 12,000 feet. Above 

 that I imagine that the rock will be found to be of granite ; I cannot 

 judge so well of the Pir Panjal which I have not examined, as of the 

 mountains of equal and greater height on the north of Kashmir. Deosi 

 for instance is one mass of white granite. Gypsum and slate are found 

 at Bdramula. 



I have made a good collection of plants and flowers which I have 

 forwarded to Mr. Edgeworth. I have seen the " prangus" plant. The 

 foot-rot in sheep is cured by an infusion of peach leaves. Walnuts and 

 honey are eaten together and not so bad a mixture either. Slips of yew 

 bark are used instead of tea, and the decoction is drank as freely. The 

 Bultis of Laddk carry a great deal of yew from Kashmir for this pur- 

 pose. Roses of every color are seen in full bloom everywhere. The 

 burial grounds are invariably covered with the iris of three or four 

 different colors. It is always planted on a new tomb in the idea that 

 *t prevents the access of water. 



As to coins I am sure there are very few in Kashmir ; I have search- 

 ed every where and gone from shop to shop myself : many copper coins 

 came in my way, none good with the exception of two or three, one of 

 which I send. 



Eskado or Iskar do. 



The " Khars" or valleys about Simla and Missouri give no idea of 

 the face of these countries. Instead of the long slope divided from an- 

 other by what may be called, comparatively with their extent, a ditch* 

 we have a vast surface of table-land bare and studded with peaks, and 

 at its extremity, as at lskardo, a deep rocky punch-bowl. — Gureiss, the 

 Urasa of Wilson, three days' march from Kashmir is a valley of this 

 description ; next comes the table-land of Deosa, and then lskardo 

 one degree to the north of Kashmir. The streams produce gold, but 



impossible to make it out. We are therefore compelled to omit some further 

 zoological notes. — Ed. 



