MS SURVEY OF THE GANGES, 



geographical nature. It was expected, that the letter would overtake us^ 

 before we could reach our ultimate objects and prevent our farther ad- 

 vance ; but the messenger, on his arrival here, learning that we had got 

 to the end of our journey, thought it best to wait our return, 



sd. As soon as we awoke this morning, we were surprised to learn 

 the desertion of all our bearers and hired servants ; which we knew 

 could not have taken place, without the connivance or express order of 

 the Snnagar government. We were, therefore, under the necessity of 

 proceeding on foot, to the next stage, leaving our baggage to the care 

 of the Gurc'hdli Jemadar, Intea-Rana Gurang, who, having received a 

 sealed perwdnah, to provide us with every thing we might require on 

 the road, and to escort us to Aimora, and having got no message, oip 

 counter order, declared that no part of our baggage should remain in 

 the rear ; but that we might commence our marchj in the manner we 

 proposed, and firmly rely upon his procuring people to bring up the 

 whole of our property. 



This morning the Therm, was at 60®. Marched to the village of 

 Tungdsi, above which we encamped in some small rke fields. 



On this day's route, we passed through a very extensive forest; where 

 we were agreeably amused with a great variety of vegetable produ6lions, 

 some of which we had not met with in any other part of the hills. The 

 first obje 61; that particularly attra61:ed our notice, was a fruit resembling 

 i\\Q hazel, the produce of a forest tree, growing to the height of fifty or 

 sixty feet, with a trunk of six or seven feet in circumference. The bran- 

 ches are thrown out, about mid-way up the stem. The fruit ripens in the 

 month of September; and, by the accounts of the hill people, is only pro- 

 duced every third year. It is called Cupdski or Pahdrl Bdddm. The 



