1848.] The Turaee and Outer Mountains of Kumaoon. 415 



mines are on the ascent above the village of Ramgur ; those wrought 

 at present lie more to the west, abreast of the bungalow. These men 

 also work the iron-mines of Khetsari near Lohba in Gurhwal, whither 

 they annually emigrate in November with their families and cattle. 

 The mines on the Punar near Ramesur, and I believe those along the 

 Ludheea, between Doorga Peepul and Deo Dhoora, are also in their 

 hands. It is curious enough that Kirkpatrick calls the miners of Tarn- 

 bakan, a similar locality in Nepal " the Agrye caste or tribe." The 

 name may be connected with the Agurwals of N. W. India, and it is 

 certain that in the Aguri-kars, or artificers of Agur, Jacob Bryant 

 would have infallibly discovered the remnant of the Egregori, the prime- 

 val instructors of savage man in metallurgy and husbandry. 



About Ramgar village commences the Mica slate formation so 

 general thence northward : on the Gallery, it is blended with strata of 

 blue crystalline limestone, the whole dipping N. E. At the east end 

 of the Gallery is the Deodara Pass, 6346 feet above Calcutta, on the 

 neck which joins Motesur to Lohakotee. Here Almorah is first seen, 

 backed by the snows, but the view is speedily lost, for the road now 

 makes a second deep dip into the glen of the Deodar stream : this 

 rises in Motesur, and flowing north, joins the Kosilla above Munrus. Its 

 slopes exhibit a rich expanse of cornfields, with the villages Kilor, 

 Banj, &c. a cheerful contrast with the gloomy woods of the Gagur. 

 Tradition has it that valuable treasures are buried where the road 

 crosses this brook : it is more certain that a wearisome acclivity must 

 be breasted to the Laldana Binaik, about 6000 feet high ; this pass 

 was formerly guarded by a petty stone gurhee to the left, but is just 

 now entrusted to the protection of the Deotahs, whose good will is 

 secured by a number of paltry shrines, where the bushes are plenti- 

 fully decorated with rags of every age and color. The ravages of tigers, 

 since mitigated, led to this display of piety ; but the animals still fre- 

 quent Motesur mountain immediately above. 



Peoorah Bungalow, elevated 5800 feet (R. S.) is nearly a mile east 

 of the Laldana Binaik, and 150 to 200 feet lower : being on the north- 

 ern face of the mountain, it has little sun, and is a chilly spot in 

 winter. About 5 miles distant to S. E. is the Motesur summit, 7782 

 feet, covered with Quercus dilatata, which shelters one or two low 

 shrines of Muhadeo, Symdeo, &c. On the crags a little below are 



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