134 Diary of an Excursion to the Shatool [No. 170. 



the Thakoor of Kiaree Mudhan. Though very steep and rocky, there is no 

 difficulty in the ascent to the summit, (9,623 feet above sea level,) where 

 Bheema Kalee or Devee ' towers in her pride of place', in a small octa- 

 gonal temple, and as nature personified, enjoys, when she pleases to 

 look out, an exceedingly extensive and impressive view of her own 

 works and votaries. Her character and attributes seem as severe as 

 those of the Taurian Diana ; and the mountaineers, who scarcely acknow- 

 ledge any other god or goddess, hold her in such awe, that I have known 

 one of them positively refuse to approach nearer than 300 or 400 yards to 

 her fane, though it was our only shelter from a cutting blast. Hence, 

 no doubt, she is said in Hindoo mythology to be the daughter of Hima- 

 laya. The entire northern face of Shallee is covered with dense forest, 

 amongst which the Cupresseus torulosa is found in considerable quantity, 

 being the only site in these Provinces where it appears to be truly indige- 

 nous. The day-lily, Hemerocallis disticha, is common by the water- 

 courses, as is the Abelia triflora on the warmer exposures. On the sum- 

 mit grow Ephedra saxatilis — "syr" — and a silvery Artemisia, very like 

 the A. rupestris of the Rhine. 



" All things are full of error" said one of the ancients ; and it is at best 

 but a quixotic procedure to wander out of one's way to refute it, at the 

 imminent risk of encountering controversial wind-mills, Biscayans, or 

 Crowderos ; and truth when found, may, like Mademoiselle Cunegonde, 

 prove less attractive than had been anticipated. All that can be done 

 discreetly is to knock an error on the head when met privately ; and it 

 may be accomplished with the less scruple on this occasion, as the 

 present is, so far as I know, the only one into which the late Captain 

 Herbert has fallen. I allude to his Geological Map of our Himalayan 

 Provinces, where Shallee is included in the micaceous slate district ; 

 whereas it is in fact, one great mass of very compact, splintery, light-blue 

 limestone, apparently very pure, with the exception of a small proportion 

 of magnesia. Several plants will be found, which are, I think, peculiar 

 to limestone, as Cytisus flaccidus. The mountain is very deficient in 

 springs, and in the warm season is dependent for water on the pits 

 called " Jors," which is of so vile a quality, that all Hudor-men-ariston 

 men should carry up a supply from the Nawul stream. 



October 3rd. — To Simla. The distant view of the hospitable homes 

 of our countrymen identifies our feelings with those of the Mesopo- 



