58G The Turaee and Outer Mountains of Kumaoon. [JtJNE, 



level is for a mile near a recently established hamlet called Singda 

 about half way down. From this point there is a fine view of tbe 

 junction of the Ramgunga with the Surjoo, about 2 miles above the 

 bridge ; on the right bank of the latter river there is a large patch of 

 cultivation, above which is the small village of Ramesur : notwithstand- 

 ing the name, the confluence is sacred to Muhadev, as the word is clas- 

 sically pronounced in Kumaoon. The inhabitants complain much of 

 the ravages of deer, which the numerous tigers, — for which the whole 

 neighbourhood is infamous — are unable to keep down. The elevation of 

 Ramesur Temple is only 1587 feet above Calcutta; that of the bridge 

 about 1500: this, with the extreme narrowness of the glen (the river 

 occupying its entire floor) and the thick jungle, ensures a very hot, 

 and in the rains damp and unhealthy climate ; the people describe the 

 heat as absolutely suffocating. The Surjoo is here spanned by a hand- 

 some iron suspension bridge, 59 paces (180 feet) over : the river form- 

 ing at this point a deep green pool, in which as in the Kossilla at 

 Dhikkolee, may occasionally be seen the fresh-water shark 1 called Gons 

 or Gonch (a species of Silurus, Dr. Jameson informs me,) said to be of 

 an ovate form, to have no scales, an immense head, with projecting 

 snout, frightful rows of teeth, and corresponding voracity. It attains 

 the length of six feet, is found up the river as far as Bagesur, as well 

 as in the Ganges at Hurdwar. The people ahxrm that a man was 

 recently attacked here by one of them. There is also in the Ramesur 

 pool a huge boulder, called Muhadev, now about 15 feet out of the 

 water, but wholly covered in the rains. Below the Dhurgura Bunga- 

 low, Pinus longifolia covers the mountains, and reaches to within a few 

 hundred feet of the bridge. Sal commences 500 feet below the Bunga- 

 low, and Sauravia Nepalensis (Gogunda, Gogeena), Bauhinia Vahlii,. 

 Dalbergia Ougeinensis, Robinia macrophylla, and Hedychium coccineum 

 in profusion, soon make their appearance.* With the Sal, and reach- 



* About 15 miles higher up the Surjoo, near the Gungolee or Shera Bridge, at an ele- 

 vation of 2500 feet— and a 1000 feet upward, the following plants were found, 

 Sauravia Nepalensis. 

 Leea staphylea 1 

 Curculigo recurvata. 

 Wallichia Palm (Urightea, Roxb.) 

 lliptage madablota. 

 Sabia paniculate. 



