212 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. IX. 



pass from the northern end of the longitudinal range which extends from 

 Donkiato Gipmoochi, and forms the eastern boundary of Sikkim. From a 

 distance the forbidding aspect of this valley would naturally lead one to con- 

 clude that to explore it would be a matter of great difficulty and danger. It is 

 almost useless to interrogate the Tibetans as to the feasibility or otherwise of 

 ascending any comparatively unfrequented valley, as their jealous exclusive- 

 ness prompts them to overrate natural difficulties in the hope of deterring 

 Europeans and other strangers from exploring the various practicable routes to 

 Tibet. The path to Ghora La runs up the valley of the Sebu River, a large 

 and turbulent stream. I was informed that this valley is held in considerable 

 veneration by the Tibetans on account of the lofty and unique precipice guard- 

 ing its entrance, for the sacred mountain of Donkia at its head, and also for the 

 sacred inscriptions which were carved on the face of a cliff half way up the 

 ascent to Ghora La ; but this last feature is now completely obliterated, as the 

 whole face of the rock has fallen down. At the summit of the pass, and visi- 

 ble from a considerable distance, is an irregular pillar-like rock, which I was 

 told is a figure of a god, but -its real character was apparent on closer 

 inspection. 



Leaving Lachung on the morning of the 3rd September, I took the follow- 

 ing route. The Lachung Yalley path was taken for three miles to the village 

 of Yakcha. Here the track to Ghora La breaks off abruptly to the north-west, 

 a direction which is pursued more or less the whole way. A short walk through 

 a forest containing beautiful Conifers, Picea Morinda, Tsuga Brunoniana, 

 Larix Griffithii, brought us to the Lachung, which is crossed by a good wooden 

 bridge. On the other side it is steep for a short distance, and afterwards the 

 path runs almost level over somewhat swampy ground. The river Sebu, which 

 from its source downwards, is a swiftly-flowing torrent coursing through a 

 boulder -strewn channel, here becomes broader, shallower and more tranquil. 

 Small willow-trees fringe its banks, with Euonymm and Ilex intricata, while 

 Thalictrum is specially abundant. Beyond this, a sudden ascent is made along 

 the base of a stony precipice with Woodsia lanosa growing in its clefts ; and a 

 little further on I found its allied species, Woodsia elongata, the only occasion I 

 recollect of their association, as the former affects a more alpine elevation as a 

 rule. The remainder of the day's march was steep through a large forest of 

 Silver Fir until we arrived at the first convenient camping ground, a cattle 

 station, named Sebu, artificially formed by a clearance in the forest. Here 

 Ainslicea pteropoda, Heracleum, and Galeopsis Tetrahit monopolized spots 

 untrodden by cattle. 



The northern side of the valley is enclosed by a continuous precipitous spur, 

 broken in one place only by a deep forest-clad depression. At the foot of the 

 chief one at the commencement of the valley, is a small temple where services 

 are held on certain days of the year. The range on the other side being more 

 gently sloped, is covered with forest and succeeding smaller vegetation, and is 

 more diversified by ravines. 



