Journal in the Sub- Himalaya. 553 



mals and have the peculiarity about their tails in some degree, and 

 very long sharp horns like Irish cattle. Thermometer at 4 p.m. 

 67°, at 9 a.m. 63°. Resolved to halt here till the road is open as far as 

 Pungee, three stages hence, and then to proceed thither as it is a 

 large village, where we could procure supplies for a few days, should 

 it be necessary to remain : and its situation is lofty. Thermometer at 

 6 a.m. 60°, at 11 a.m. 65°, at noon 67°. There are a great many 

 Chukores about here, and a few pheasants. 



21 st. The females here appear much afraid of Europeans — most 

 of those I saw appeared very ugly. Woollen is the only wear above 

 Koteghur. The men wear trowsers, a kind of coat or shirt, a cloth 

 folded round the waist, shoes, the tops of which are of worsted 

 knitted, and a low circular cap generally black or brown with a fold 

 round the bottom, something like a turban. The ladies wear a 

 piece of cloth, covering the upper part of the body and fastened in 

 front with a large brass pin or rather broach, which is a conspicuous 

 ornament hanging in front, and being composed of two bits of brass, 

 as large as the hands joined together, and having a pin fastened to 

 them, in the manner of our broaches. Their hair is plaited behind, 

 and fastened across the back of the head in a large roll, ornamented 

 with two great bunches of red wool, which look at a distance like 

 Rhododendron flowers, and their cap is the same as that of the men 

 with the exception of the cloth on the top being red. This head- 

 dress, when well adjusted, appeared to me becoming. Thermometer 

 at 10 a.m. 65°, at 11 a.m. 65°, at noon 67°. 



22nd. Meroo or Mirtung — 5 coss, height 8,550 feet. Soon after 

 leaving Chigaon, I heard a loud and continued crash, and on looking 

 round I saw a number of large stones rushing down the slope of the 



mountain I had just passed : H who was behind had to run to 



escape this avelanche. They frequently occur after rain. 



There are a few stunted oaks before coming to Oorunnee, the first 

 forest trees we have met since leaving Wangtoo bridge, though the 

 opposite bank of the river is covered with large trees. The country 

 becoming not quite so bare as before. I saw one of that species of 

 fir which bears the Nyoza nut, and which is plentiful above this. 

 It differs from the common fir in having its stem and branches crook- 

 ed, and its bark smooth and of a light mottled colour. Meroo is a 



4 c 



