906 Journal of a Trip to the Burenda Pass in 1836. [Nov. 



Flowers of different kinds are here abundant, every open space or 

 grassy hill being studded with various colors ; the anemone discol- 

 or, parnassia nubicola, and potentilla pteropoda of Roylb are innu- 

 merable, while in the deep glens or khads, growing in damp vege- 

 table moulds, a beautiful white species of cypripedium is found, as also 

 a very large white lily, which grows to a height of 6 or 7 feet. 



Here also we found a fruit resembling a wild quince, but growing 

 on large trees, with leaves very similar to those of the nut trees. 



Another fruit was brought us, which in taste was something like 

 the sloe, the stone somewhat resembling that of the little wild 

 cherry of Britain. The tree is tall and at first sight resembles the 

 cherry tree, but the fruit grows on the stalks in a different manner, 

 being placed at unequal distances up a long straight stem. The hill 

 people call the tree jummoo, (jamu.J 



These forests are also well stocked with splendid yew trees and 

 pines of enormous growth. The birch is said by travellers to grow 

 here also, but we were not fortunate enough to see any. 



On the afternoon of this day a shower of rain fell and the wind 

 was very cold ; the snow evidently falling fast over the snowy range 

 which was very white. The sky black and threatening. 



On the 27th after breakfast we started from Ndgkunda and crossed 

 the top of Hattu or Whartu, a steep hill in the neighbourhood about 

 10,656 feet high. From the top of this mountain a splendid view 

 opens upon the traveller, and some of the houses at Simla are seen, 

 while the snowy range, in its vast extent is laid open. Here I took 

 some fine specimens of snails* of the genera nanina and bulimus, 

 among the loose stones and ruins of the old Gurkha forts which crest 

 this mountain. The shells of the former genus, far exceed in size, 

 those of the warmer hills of Mahdssd. Here, also, on the very top of 

 the ruins, I found a solitary plant of mulgedium manor hizum in flower, 

 its roots firmly wedged in between the massive stones. 



There are a few stone huts on the top of this hill erected by an 

 officer, as a temporary shooting box. After resting awhile and enjoy- 

 ing the fine view, we went down the opposite side of the mountain 

 and a few miles farther on brought us to our encamping ground at a 

 place called Bayie beneath a hill crowned with the ruins of an old 

 fort of that name* and a short distance above a village called Shail. 



From this village excellent coolies are procurable and we got all 

 necessary supplies very easily, the villagers coming into camp with 

 grain, ghee and milk. 



Part of the road after leaving Hattu, lay through a wood and was 

 frequently interrupted by fallen timber. In the open parts among 



