SURVEY OF THE GANGES. 467 



liaTJcy to the scene, which words are incompetent to express. The bason, 

 or receiver, was a hard solid stone, of an ochrous colour, smoothed by the 

 action of the water ; but the bank itself was composed of a thin coat of 

 earth, of the same hue, but soft and friable at the top, and more indurated 

 at the base. Upon an inspection of the grotto on the right, we were struck 

 with new and more singular appearances. 



It is a cavern, about six feet in height, ten in depth, and fourteen or six- 

 teen in length, and is a natural excavation, the walls and roof of which are 

 of rock. The water filters through the top, from which pendent shoots, 

 like icicles, are disposed, in all the different stages of petrifaction. The 

 small ramifications form variegated beds of moss, serving as conductors 

 for the water when it first begins to crystalize ; and, from a tube or pipe, 

 they become, by repeated incrustations, a firm consolidated mass. The 

 various colours, produced by the vegetation, changing with the different 

 shades of light, give to the outer surface the appearance of mother of 

 pearl ; but, when the petrifaction is complete, the inside has a great re- 

 semblance to alabaster. 



The water is excessively cold and clear ; and, from an examination of 

 the first process, one would be inclined to suppose it impregnated with 

 some fine micous particles, which adhere to the vegetable substance ; 

 and, by degrees, accumulate into a solid body. We could with difficulty 

 prevail on ourselves to quit this beautiful spot; but, as we had a long and 

 arduous journey to complete before the evening, we had only time to 

 examine its principal beauties. It is called 5'<:7;z5^;' DA^rj, or the dripping 

 rock. On this day's march we first saw the mountain pine, called by 

 the natives Chir, or Kholdn* 



♦ Fim<s Longifolia, RoxB, 



