ACROSS THE CHINO-THIBETAN BORDERLAND 199 



side of the pass enjoys a moist climate, and the tree-Hne 

 (13,500 feet approximately) is remarkably high. Above the 

 tree-line the mountain-sides, to within a few hundred feet 

 of the pass, are covered with scrub composed, as usual in 

 these regions, of Willow, Berberis, small-leaved species of 

 Rhododendron, Spiraea, Juniper, Potentilla Veitchii, P.fndicosa, 

 and Rhododendron Przewalskii, the latter being the most 

 alpine of all the large-leaved members of its family. Herbs, 

 of course, made a wonderful display of colour. In addition 

 to those previously mentioned, other species of Primula, the 

 yellow and violet-blue Poppyworts {Meconopsis integrifoUa 

 and M. Henrici), various Stone-crops [Sedum spp.), and Saxi- 

 frages are abundant. But the most striking of all the herbs 

 is a Rhubarb {Rheum AlexandrcB), an extraordinary plant, 

 with a pyramidal inflorescence 3 to 4 feet tall, arising from 

 a mass of relatively small, ovate, shining, sorrel-like leaves, 

 and composed of broad, rounded, decurved, pale yellow bracts 

 overlapping one another like tiles on a house-roof. The local 

 name of this plant is "Ma Huang" (Horse Rhubarb); it 

 prefers rich boggy ground where verdure is luxuriant and 

 yak delight to feed. Such places were studded with its most 

 conspicuous tower-like spikes of flowers. The Rhubarb and 

 yellow Poppywort {Meconopsis integrifoUa) are always most 

 rampant around places where yak have been herded. 



Unmelted snow of the preceding winter was lying in 

 patches just below the summit of the pass, a bare, narrow ridge 

 crowned by a cairn of stones surmounted with many prayer- 

 flags, and 14,600 feet above sea-level. This narrow neck is 

 composed of slate and sandstone, with a certain amount of 

 marble rock scattered about, and connects two massive ranges 

 clad with eternal snows. The day was gloriously sunny, and 

 we had a rare opportunity of enjoying and appreciating the 

 delights of this alpine region. Except for a feeling of giddi- 

 ness when stooping, and a general shortness of breath, I 

 suffered no inconvenience from the altitude. In spite of their 

 loads only two or three of my men were seriously affected ; 

 the gradual ascent was, I think, responsible for our good 

 fortune in this matter. From past experience I had rather 

 dreaded the effects this pass might have on my followers, and 



