BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 23987 
cimes qui s’elévent dans le plateau méme, est un objet digne de re- 
cherche." 
And in another passage :— 
“ Eclaireir le probléme de la hauteur des neiges perpétuelles à la 
pente meridionale et à la puse septentrionale de l'Himalaya, en vous 
rappelant les dove que j'ai réunies dans le troisième volume de mon 
* Asie Centrale.’ 
The obstacles to entering detur: guarded as it is by the 
Chinese authorities, aided by Sikkim tribes occupying the southern 
boundaries, and who are tributaries to the Celestial Empire; and those 
arising from the nature of the passes, the execrable state of the roads, 
and the difficulty of procuring p and guides—have been, beyond 
anything, great. And it was not till after twelve months of explora- 
tory excursions in the vicinity of the several passes, and some diplo- 
matic tact, though of a very humble character; but, mainly through 
the kind exertions and the authority exercised by his Excellency the 
Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie; of Dr. Campbell, the Resident of 
Darjeeling ; and Mr. Hodgson, that Dr. Hooker was able to accomplish 
the grand object of his ambition,—to determine the elevation of the 
great Thibetian Table-land. The second problem indicated by M. de 
Humboldt is here also solved ; and we think we shall best consult the 
wishes of our scientific readers by laying these facts at once before 
them, though at the risk of repeating them in the continuation of Dr. 
Hooker’s Journal.—Ep. 
* Tungu, N.E. Sikkim. os 13,500 feet. 
* July 25, 1849. 
* I have carried my point, and stood on the Table-land of Thibet, 
beyond the Sikkim frontier, at an elevation of 15,500 ft.,—at the back 
of all the Snowy Mountains ! 
** When I wrote last, I flattered myself that the way was open, and 
that the Tcheba Lama’s letter had removed all difficulties : it furthered 
me one march northward, but no more. The Singtam functionary, 
though well disposed towards me, was not charged to give effectual 
aid: he therefore declared himself profoundly ignorant of the road,— 
the Soubah of Lachen, ditto. There was no remedy but to arm myself 
with patience. So I quietly camped again, told the chiefs that we 
were very good friends, and sent for the instructions which the Tcheba 
Lama had issued, which were to the purport that I might proceed as 
VOL. I 2x 
