both sides, is also very remarkable, and has, as already
remarked, a very sensible effect on the climate, the heat
of the lower mass being conveyed upwards, while the
small extent of the knife-edge-like ridge, which rises
above 6000 feet, exposes a minimum surface to the
refrigerating influences of a rarefied atmosphere.
The distance from Kussowlee to Simla is by the road
about thirty miles, though in a direct fine the two places
are not much more than half that distance apart. The
road descends from Kussowlee almost to the level of the
plains, crossing the Gambar at an elevation of a little
less than 3000 feet, and ascends to Simla by following
the ridge which runs parallel to that river on its right
bank, the source of the Gambar being immediately below
Simla. It would indeed be possible to reach Simla, by
following the crest of the ridge, without descending at
all into the valley of the river; but for this purpose it
would be necessary to follow the Kussowlee ridge so far
to the southward, in order to reach its junction with the
main range, that the length of the journey would be very
much greater than that now followed. The road, therefore,
only keeps the ridge for a very short distance, or
as far as the “ col,” or lower part immediately north of
Kussowlee, which is quite bare of trees. It then turns
abruptly to the left, descending on the north face of a
spur, at first in a winding manner, afterwards for a short
distance along a shady ravine, and finally through a good
deal of cultivation, at an elevation of between 4000 and
5000 feet, to a considerable stream which runs towards
the north to join the Gambar. The greatest part of the
descent is bare of trees, except along the banks of the
little stream, which are covered with a belt of wood.
The cultivated lands are extensive, occupying a flattish
terraced slope, such as is of very general occurrence in
the mountains, the fields being adapted for the growth
of rain crops, principally of rice, with a few fields of ginger
and cardamoms.
After reaching the stream just mentioned, which is
crossed by a ford, a suspension bridge, for which the
piers are partly built, having never been erected, the
road continues to descend parallel to it towards the
north, passing under the military station of Sabathu,
which, at the elevation of 4200 feet, occupies the crest
of the ridge immediately to the east of the little river, a
very short distance before its junction with the Gambar.
After passing Sabathu the road turns to the right,
round the projecting ridge of the range, and descends
rapidly to the valley of the Gambar river, which is crossed
by a good suspension bridge at an elevation of 2700 feet
above the level of the sea. It then ascends by a steep
and laborious path to Haripur, a small village about
500 feet above the bed of the river. The Gambar
| river, where the road crosses it, flows through a narrow
rocky ravine, somewhat picturesque, but quite devoid
of trees. This, however, is not the general character ’
of the river-bed, which is frequently wide, with a broad
I gravelly channel, and sloping though often rather steep
I mountains on either side. There is occasionally even a
I strip of flat land, capable of cultivation along the banks;
1 and where such is the case, the water of the river is
carried off in artificial channels, for the purpose of irrigation.