208 Information resptcliny Botanical Travellers. 



running generally at a small height above its bed. Having crosse4 

 it by a rude wooden bridge, we diverged up a tributary stream, until 

 we reached a small village; we thence continued ascending over easy 

 grassy slopes, here and there prettily wooded, until we reached the 

 base of the cliief ascent, which is not steep, but long, the path run- 

 ning along the margin of a rhododendron and juniper wood : the 

 height of its summit is 10,873 feet. Thence to Rydang was an un- 

 interrupted and steep descent, the path traversing very beautiful 

 woods of rhododendrons, oaks, yews, &c. Snow was still seen lin- 

 gering in sheltered places above 10,000 feet. The march throughout 

 was beautiful. In the higher elevations the Bogh Pat was very com- 

 mon. Besides the village mentioned, two temporary ones were seen 

 near the base of the great ascent, built for the accommodation of the 

 Yaks and their herdsmen : of this curious animal two herds were 

 seen at some distance. 



March 28M. We descended directly to the river Gnee, which 

 drains the ravine, and continued down it sometime, crossing it once ; 

 then diverging up a small nullah we commenced an ascent, which did 

 not cease until we had reached an elevation of 8374 feet. Continuing 

 for some time at this elevation we traversed picturesque oak and rho- 

 dodendron woods, with occasionally swardy spots ; subsequently de- 

 scending for a long time until we reached Santagong, in the direc- 

 tion of which the trees became stunted, and the country presented 

 a barren aspect. Santagong is 6300 feet above the sea ; it is a small 

 village, but the houses are better than ordinary. The surrounding 

 country, especially to the north, is well cultivated, and the villages 

 numerous. The country is bare of trees ; almost the only ones to 

 be seen are some long leaved firs, a short distance below Santagong, 

 close to a small jheel abounding in water-fowl. 



March 29M. From Santagong we proceeded to Phain, descending 

 immediately to the stream, which runs nearly 1800 feet below our 

 halting-place. Towards Phain the soil became of a deep red colour. 

 This place, which is 5280 feet above the sea, is a small village, con- 

 taining six or seven tolerable houses. 



April 1st. To Punukka. We descended rather gradually towards 

 the Patchien, proceeding at first north-west, and then to the north. 

 On reaching the stream, which is of considerable size, we followed it 

 up, chiefly along its banks, until we arrived at the capital, no view 

 of which is obtained until it is approached very closely. The val- 

 ley of the Patchien was throughout the march very narrow ; there 

 was a good deal of miserable wheat cultivation in it, and some vil- 

 lages, all of moderate size. The country continued extremely bare. 



