After having gained the summit, a still higher
range of mountains in fi'ont is found to intercept the
view of the Himalayas, and the path descends rapidly

B



2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE

to the encamping ground, which is situated in a deep
narrow river valley, without inhabitants, but clothed
with rich tropical vegetation.
The malaria of the place is such that this pass is
only available, and that for travellers on foot, from
November to March. Indeed, independent of any
other cause, vegetation is so dense and of such rapid
growth, that it would be very difficult, where there
is so little traffic, to preserve an open communication
by this route.
