1846.] and Boorun Passes over the Himalaya. 81 



after the hard exercise and keen air of the mountain tops, nature asserts 

 her rights, and speaks through the stomach, in tones which can be 

 neither mistaken nor denied. The direction of the journey being deter- 

 mined before-hand, much trouble and expense will be saved by the esta- 

 blishment of a depot at some convenient spot on the return route. 



7th and last. Some quarter of a century since, Stalker, Welsh, and 

 other out-fitters used to furnish the innocent Cadet with certain pounds 

 of tobacco to be given to the sailors " for doing little jobs ;" such, as well 

 as presents of coarse powder and small shot — will be found really ser- 

 viceable in the Himalaya, where they are all scarce and bad. A judi- 

 cious exhibition of these coveted articles will often secure a cheerful 

 endurance of cold, wet, danger, and fatigue ; the fumes of the tobacco 

 stimulating the sensorium of the mountaineer, as those of loyalty and 

 chivalry do, or did, that of the Frenchman. It is needless to add that 

 the contrary method of abuse, blows, and violence, irrespective of its im- 

 morality in contravening the expressed will and orders of our honourable 

 and honoured masters, is almost sure to defeat its intention, and to lead 

 to the desertion of those subjected to it. 



September 3rd.— Left Simla with Lieutenant Bourchier, of the Artil- 

 lery, and walked to Fagoo, distant eleven or twelve miles, in four hours 

 and forty minutes. The rocks at Simla are chiefly clay and mica slate, 

 with quartzose sandstone towards the west, and a crystallized lime- 

 stone at Jutog ; the road lies along the northern face of Jaka mountain, 

 which is here composed of a deep- blue clay slate, and not of limestone, 

 as erroneously stated by Captain A. Gerard. The forest is here chiefly 

 formed by the Ban oak (Quercus incana) ; and in the steep precipitous 

 ravines to the right, grows abundantly the Deutzia Brunoniana, which 

 bears a considerable resemblance to the common Syringa. Quitting this, 

 the road gradually ascends the south or bare side of the ridge which 

 connects Jaka with Muhasoo : the north side is covered with a forest 

 of Mohroo oak (Quercus dilatata) : and at 8 or 9 miles from Simla, the 

 summit of Muhasoo is attained, upwards of 9,000 feet above the sea ; 

 the route is latterly through a fine forest of cedar, Rai (Abies Smithi- 

 ana), and the Kreoo or Kurshoo oak (Quercus semicarpifolia), and des- 

 cends to Fagoo, 700 feet below, through beautiful hanging woods of 

 maple, pindrow, or Jhunera pine (Picea pindrow), horse chestnut (Pavia 



