TO THIBET. 3l 
between Gholab Sing commences, which it is our first object to 
fix. Our course will be to the N.E., till some way after crossing 
the Indus, after which we shall turn to the north: the approach 
of winter will probably oblige us to stop before we reach 34^ N. 
I had all the direction pointed out to me by Cunningham, on his 
own maps; but having none of my own with any details, I should 
only lead you astray if I attempted to enter into particulars. 
Ladakh, (or Leh, which is the proper name,) will probably be our 
place of abode during the winter, and in spring we shall resume 
our course to the N. and E., passing to the S. of Yarkund and 
Kashgar, as far as about 72° E. long. My position next mid- 
summer will, therefore, probably be at some distance to the N. of 
Kashmeer, provided the present arrangements are carried out; but 
these differ so much from what were supposed at the time I wrote 
last, and so much more from those talked of on my first arrival 
here, that I still doubt. Cunningham, however, is acquainted with 
the country, and therefore is the most likely person to know. A 
glance at the map will show you that our route will lie over an 
immense tract of almost unexplored country, from which I hope 
to bring back an infinity of interesting materials. 
“T have been too much distracted by a multiplicity of occupa- 
tions, in the way of preparation for my journey, to work much 
while here. I have collected pretty extensively, but have got 
little new. The rains commenced on the 21st of last month, and 
have already produced a very luxuriant vegetation. The dampness, — — 
however, makes the plants tardy in flowering: a few sunny days - v 
would, I think, bring out plenty of flowers. Three or four — — 
Aracee abound all over this place,—and with a beautiful purple — — 
Zinziber, at present give the principal character of the vege- ——— 
tation. About a dozen La£iate, some shrubby, some herbaceous, —— 
are very common, but they have not yet flowered. You must be — — 
quite familiar with the characters of the vegetation of this part of — 
the Himalaya, which is included in what may be called the lower _ 
temperate zone. Quercus lanata, Rhododendron arboreum, An- 
dromeda ovalifolia, Cedrus Deodara, Pinus excelsa and longifolia, 
Abies Smithiana, Ilex dispermum, Cerasus sp.—are the trees 
Viburnum, p Rosa, (2 m Berberis, Rubi, and "— oer 
