98 
Account of a Visit to the Biarn Pass. 
Jiceous co glomerate* ; breakfasted near Darchula, and reached Doha* about 
sunset. 
8th.— To Khelah, another long march ; rock chiefly gneiss ; arrived about sunset, 
gth. — To Paliansi in CbaocMns, being the furthest village — a steep descent to the 
Dharma Gurif ; a violent torrent ; Sanga carried away during the night by the rise of 
the river 3 or 4 ft. occasioned by the descent of an avalanche higher up. Halted 
from 7. 30 to 11 A. M. to allow of another being set up ; reached our encamping grouud 
by torch light ; the latter part of the road being a very steep and continued ascent 
from the river, — the rock always gneiss. Chaodans is a fine country, and the inha- 
tants are a line race, similar in fact to the people of Jowahir — very fair and of 
athletic make. 
10th. — To Giflahgar; no village: rock small grained gneiss, mica-slate, and 
schistose quartz-rock. This was an unpleasant march, owing to heavy rain during 
the latter part; we marched after breakfast, and did not arrive till dark. 11th. — To 
Nijangar ; halted to breakfast, and to allow our followers to cook a meal, as it was re- 
presented we should find no water on this side Nijungar; a very long but gradual as- 
cent (three hours) ; very little forest ; rocks as before mica-slate, gneiss, and quartz- 
rock ; on the top of the ascent quartzose mica-slate. To the N ijungar a very long and 
steep descent (four hours) along the most frightful precipices 1 have seen ; passed by 
flights of steps formed of small rough stones, 5 or 6000 ft. above the river, into 
which the slightest giddiness or uncertainty of the footing might have precipitated us. 
Encamped under a Wodar or overhanging rock about a mile above the Nijungar 
torrent, water some little distance ; it rained during the latter part of our descent, 
and we had a wet night. 
12t.h. — To Budi the first village in Bidna, one of our longest stages. At the Ni- 
jungar we had mica-slate, but as we approached what I suppose the line of greatest 
elevationj, gneiss occupied its place ; granite also in blocks, but of small dimen- 
sions, and in no great number. Neither is the gneiss formation of much extent just 
here, and what is worthy of remark, we observed along the banks of the Kali in this 
neighbourhood secondary strata, consisting of sandstones generally soft and inco- 
herent, someofa fine grain, others of the conglomerate structure, being composed of 
rounded pebbles imbedded in a basis. After passing what I considered the line of 
greatest elevation, we came to day-slate again, noth quartz-rock §, principally in- 
deed varieties of the latter. These continue the whole way to the pass Lepfi Dhuva. 
13th. To Kawalek. Passed the village of Garbia about half wav (six miles) front 
Budi. At starting is a steep ascent of one hour, and we considered ourselves for- 
tunate in having procured which were ofnolittle service. On the top of the ridge 
we found imca-slate. From this to Garbia and onwards toKawalfik,the country is beaii- 
tifid; between the two latter places, the road runs through a nearly level district beau- 
tiful wooded along the banks of the stream, which, as already noticed, are of second- 
ary formation. Two species of fir, one of juniper, the yew, beech , and, towards K uwahlft, 
gooseberry bushes were noticed. Here the Kali proper, which is, however, the smaller 
of the two, joins the main branch. The latter appears to originate to the westward, 
f’ e " p e f* a . 4 lst ? ncc ' ,irce days journey, and that t he ridge from which it 
able wlv ,m ^ Dllarn,a and Bians ' The view extends a consider- 
able way thM ■•Brecon,' fte river appearing to have nearly a straight course. 
14th.— To the pass Ldpfi Dhfira, whence Taklakdt, the Chinese station or factory, is 
only three hours’ journey ; marched about half past six, stopping to breakfet li the 
place called Kalapan, whine a stream of clear water about 25 feet rridHut ere 
neighbouring rocks, on the left bank of the la^er stream, 
rem h r , e ? ba ^S a ge and servants, taking only a small yawl, 
our beds, and some firewood laden on yaks, not wishing to trust altogether to the 
hlTwe m d/d ' en US that Wt ; “ thence b y nightfall. Hw\s forma , te 
nevfrthnw a ". an K e " ,ent i for_ after leaving them at two and a half hours' jour- 
after lark stTfe! tho “ our return from the pass till two hours 
alter dark , snow falling all the way. The ascent is very gradual, and the road ex- 
* Local, we suppose. — E d. 
of Dliarma[ * ** ° r ««"» * ,lich Bhotia Pergunuah 
S Onc'Jf m„ the T* h of ,l !f line of greatest elevation.— E d. 
argillaceous quarte rock™ 6 ™ 1 ^ ° Ccurrin B r °cks in these mountains might be called 
|| The cAaori-tailed bull of Thibet. 
