102 The progress of the Kashmir Series. [No. 2, 
layan and Karakorum ridges. The plains of Deosai are perhaps the 
most curious topographical feature of the country sketched during 
the season. These plains consist of about 580 square miles of 
gently undulating ground averaging at least 14,000 feet above the 
sea and surrounded on all sides by rugged mountains running up to 
from 16,000 to 17,000 feet. The drainage escaping through a not 
easily distinguished gorge near the Katasiri station, falls into the 
Dras river above Kirkitehoo. This tributary of the Dras river is 
called the Shigar and sometimes the Shingo river, it brings down 
gold with its waters, and gold-washing is carried on just below the 
.junction. The Indus itself and several other of its tributaries are 
known to produce gold. The gold-washing is said not to be valu- 
able, but it does sometimes give as much as 1 or 2 small rupees a 
day to a man, though a most barbarous method is employed in 
washing the earth. This, earth is taken from the detritus which, I 
think, now generally lies above the highest flood line. After 2 or 3 
washings a black heavyish sort of sand is left with the pieces of 
gold scattered here and there. 
As far as my own experience goes I should say it was not a pro- 
fitable business, for after half an hour’s washing I only got 5 very tiny 
nuggets hardly worth an anna, and I had at the time the benefit of 
the assistance of an Australian gentleman. This gentleman thought 
that something might be done by investing in a cradle and appara- 
tus. He said that a substance like the black sand mentioned above, 
had proved valuable in Australia. 
When crossing the Himalaya range the plains of Deosai we're a 
great obstacle to the progress of the triangulation, for although the 
depression of the Himalayas in that part gave a most extended 
view from very high points, still there being no habitations for 
the distance of 7 or 8 marches, and no village of any size for 11 
or 12 marches, the operations were carried on under very great 
difficulties. In the plains the only firewood to be had is got by 
digging up the juniper roots and from very thin stunted willows, 
but on the mountains above, there was absolutely no firewood to be 
had of any kind, the stations being all from 16 to 17,000 feet in 
height. It was absolutely necessary to reside at least several days 
on these stations. 
