342 COURSE AND LEVELS' 



tract, three species of oak, with a numerous list of alpine plants, are found 

 here. The summit of the Chur is grey granite of a coarse grain, which lower 

 down is exchanged for mica slate. On that part of the ridge which I cross- 

 ed as above mentioned, I observed only granular quartz. 



On the 12th, we reached Chepal, and hence our route took a turn to the 

 Northward, crossing the Sal we river, (a feeder of the Tonse) and the high 

 ridge which separates its sources from the valley of the Paber. We pass- 

 ed through Deohra, the residence of the Rana of Jubal, one of the secon- 

 dary mountain states. We crossed the Paber river under Raungerh, an 

 inconsiderable fort, the water of which can be cut off The passage of the 

 Paber which is a large and rapid river, was effected on a hanging bridge of 

 ropes 123 feet long and 22 feet above the water. 



These bridges would seem to be on the same principle as our suspension 

 chain bridges in Europe. Their swinging motion is very disagreeable, and 

 generally gives the unpracticed passenger an idea of danger exceeding the 

 reality. The tread is however a little unsafe, as the footway is quite open, 

 just like a rope ladder, and some attention is required to avoid putting your 

 foot through the opening instead of on the cross piece. The noise and 

 foam too of a mountain river, dashing beneath, are not much calculated to 

 strengthen one's powers of attention. To a novice it is rather a disagreea- 

 ble mode of crossing a rapid river, but a little practice reconciles it, like all 

 the other difficulties. 



Here began our ascent of the Changshel ridge, the separating ground of 

 the Paber and Rupin, both branches of the Tonse, and both large rivers. 

 This ridge is a ramification from the snowy chain and is of great height. 

 It terminates above the confluence of the rivers, in rather aflat declivity, the 

 less elevated parts of which are cultivated and well inhabited. The sides 

 of this ridge are deeply intersected with large torrents, and in the glens form- 

 ed by them are several substantial villages. Our path lay along its sum* 



