The convalescent depots : Murree its topographical and medical history / [Alexander Grant?].

  • Grant, Alexander, 1947-
Date:
[between 1850 and 1859?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The convalescent depots : Murree its topographical and medical history / [Alexander Grant?]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the whole district of Hazara from the landscape, with a branch of the Huroo, hurrying its waters toward the Indus, while the distant mountains bordering the Peshawur Valley can easily be distinguished, and some have asserted that the “ snfied koli,” near Jellalabad, is visible. “ This hill (Murree) is most superbly wooded, extending from beginning to end of the station; trees and shrubs are found in endless variety, and in some places magni- ficent forests; this redundance of arboraceous vegetation is confined to the Northern and West slopes of the mountain, the South-east faces looking on the plains, are generally bleak, and have not so inviting an appearance: the great river Jhelurn, in one of its numerous windings before it reaches the plains, runs within 18 miles of Murree, and is crossed en route to Cashmere at Dewal.” The station beyond cantonments runs towards the North along a hilly ridge, the highest and most rugged aspect towards the North. On the North-west, it is richly wood- ed, and about the centre comprehends a very fine forest. At present it extends about six miles from Clifden to the “ Flats,” its two extreme points. There are 68 estates, with rents varying from Rs. 300 to 1,700 for the season. The most beautiful sites are near the residence of the Com- missioner. The strata of the hills are composed principally of calcare- ous sandstone, alternating with grit and red sandy shale, dipping towards the East, but with varying dips. The valleys and faces of the hills are well cultivated, but there is extensive irrigation, and intermittent fevers are con- sequently very prevalent in the lower ranges. “ The sources of two considerable streams being imme- diately on either side of the station. The Harroh rises at Suudean, and, passing through Khatur, falls into the Indus, near Choee Guriala. “ The Swan begins at Mooseearee and, after fertilizing a portion of the Dhunnee country, falls also into the Indus near Trab. The same features in the arrangement of these hills present themselves to our notice, as are observed on the western ghauts, on the Cordilleras, and on others, and the existence of which is no secret in Physical Geography, namely, that the mountains present their steepest acclivities to the sides nearest the sea, and that those sides are least covered with vegetation. It is no wonder then, that while our side of Murree is comparatively barren, the other side should produce large forests.”