548 Journal in the Sub-Himalaya. 



on each bank, with a post, to which a rope is fixed and stretched 

 across ; on this runs a machine of rope with a noose, on which the 

 passenger places his feet and clings, being dragged across by men 

 stationed for the purpose. This perilous bridge has been removed 

 for the present, the water being low ; and the people cross by another 

 plan equally curious, viz. on the inflated skin of a bullock, upon 

 which the ferryman places his breast, striking with his feet, and 

 using a small paddle with his hands. One man we saw cross, carried 

 the boat on his back when he reached land, which had a curious 

 appearance, the skin of the head, legs, tail, and ears of the animal 

 being all perfect. He appeared to advance with ease against the 

 stream near the bank, and to swim with great strength ; being very 

 little carried down, even in the centre, where it ran very strong. 

 Sometimes a passenger or two cross besides the man impelling the 

 hide ; occasionally with loads on their backs. 



9th. Goura Kothee — 5 coss. Proceeded for a coss close along the 

 Sutledge, to a point where it rushes through deep and perpendicu- 

 lar banks of hard rock, about thirty or forty feet across ; and the 

 stream being interrupted in the centre by large white rocks, re- 

 sembling marble, makes a tremendous roar. From this place there 

 commenced a steep ascent, which continued to our breakfast ground, 

 three and a half coss. We soon rose to the region of the fir and the 

 rhododendron, and had a view of snow. Thermometer at noon under 

 a rock 67°. Still ascent then descent, and again an ascent brought 

 us to Goura Kothee : here is the storehouse of the Rajah of Bussahir. 

 There are a few houses and a temple, and a respectable village a 

 little further on the road, called Dhar. 



\0th. Surahun, 7,248 feet — 5^ coss. Thermometer at 7 a.m. 56°. 

 Our road was through a fine forest of larches, firs, and oaks : prin- 

 cipally a gentle descent. Many of the oaks were covered with ivy, 

 which seems to be partial to the tree, as the white rose, which grows 

 to an immense size, appears to prefer the Kellyon or larch, some- 

 times spreading itself entirely over a very tall tree. Descent for a 

 short distance, then a long ascent to the top of another range, when we 

 had a sudden view of Sooran, situated in a hollow in the mountains 

 at our feet. This is the summer residence of the Rajah, and his house 

 has a pretty appearance. It is about 7,200 feet above the sea, a good 



