168 DR. HOOKER'S MISSION TO INDIA. 
Excursion to the Junction of the Great Runjeet River with the 
Teesta, on the borders of Bhotan. May 1848. 
The Great Runjeet flows from the snows of the southern face of 
Kinchin (due north of Darjeeling), and winds through deep valleys, 
till it is turned aside by the numerous spurs of Sinchul. The first of 
these is that whereon Darjeeling is situated, and which deflects the 
stream’s course for fifteen or twenty miles to the east, where, meeting 
the Teesta, the combined waters of both rivers flow through a gap 
of the Sub-Himalaya into the plains. Though both have a snowy 
source, the Teesta is by far the larger stream of the two, and the most 
considerable in Sikkim; it rises on the eastern slope of Kinchin, flows 
a little east, and is turned southward by a lofty long southerly 
spur of the snowy range. The latter river is supplied by a feeder 
from the east, called the Little Teesta, before its union with the Great 
Runjeet, as also by many streams from the high snowed ridges, which 
reduce its temperature considerably, as I had occasion to notice, at the 
junction of the two. 
May 3rd.—Leaving Darjeeling with Mr. Barnes, I descended the 
spur to Leebong, one of the two secondary spurs (the easterly) formed 
by the forking of that whereon Darjeeling stands, which is densely 
wooded. Leaving the region of Birch and Magnolia, at a little below 
7,000 feet, Banana, Tree-fern, and Caryota all appear, together with 
large Araliacee ; the Michelia excelsa (?) is here replaced by a smaller- 
flowered species, and the Wallnut is common in the woods.* 
Below Leebong is the village of Ging, a hamlet, surrounded by 
steeps, cultivated with Maize, Rice, Millet, and various tropical Cerealia. 
It is rendered very picturesque by a long row of tall poles, each bearing 
a narrow vertically elongated banner, covered with mystical inscriptions, 
and surmounted by coronet-like ornaments, or spear-heads, rudely cut - 
out of wood or of basket-work, and adorned with cotton fringe. These 
are emblems of the Boodhist religion, and held very sacred, though 
the votaries attached no definite meaning to them. Ging is a village 
peopled by Bhotan immigrants; and when one dies, if he can afford 
to pay for them, two additional poles and flags are set up, to propitiate 
* The Sikkim Wal/nut is thick-shelled, and rather more oblong than the English ; 
that from Bhotan altogether resembles the very best European. I send you a lot, 
given me by Mrs. Campbell. 
