A ROPE BRIDGE. 
213 
bridge is removed altogether, and again erected when 
the waters subside. From the ingenuity of its struc- 
ture,, its removal and erection are alike matters of 
easy accomplishment ; and yet, considering the light- 
ness and apparent fragility of this singular bridge, 
its strength and durability are astonishing. The 
river is crossed by no less than three of these bridges 
between Serinagur and Hurd war, — at the former 
place, at Gangoutri, and at Deo Prague. 
The bridge represented in the engraving is just two 
hundred and forty feet in length, and about eight 
broad. It is an extremely ingenious contrivance, but 
at the same time so simple that it may be erected and 
removed in the course of a few hours. It is built 
entirely of coir rope, — that is, the rope made from the 
filaments composing the husk which covers the cocoa- 
nut, — except the four upright poles supporting the 
structure at either end, the transverse bars which 
unite them respectively, and the slips of thin bamboo 
laid close together on the rope frame-work so as to 
form a practicable footing for passengers crossing the 
bridge, which is constructed as follows : 
Two lofty and very strong bamboos are firmly 
fixed in the ground on each side of the river, and con- 
nected by means of a cross pole, forming a com- 
pact frame. Over the top of this frame, at the angles, 
stout cords are carried across the stream, twisted into 
two single ropes on either side, and describing an in- 
verted arch. Passing over the angles of the bamboo 
frames, the cords are separated and fastened sepa- 
rately into the ground, sloping from the perpendicular 
frame and thus counteracting the pressure of pas- 
