1871.] W. T. Blanford — Journey through Sikkim. 367 



mouth extending to below the anterior third of the orbit, lower jaw 

 shortest. 



Teeth, pharyngeal, — pointed, 5, 4, 2/2, 4, 5. 



Fins. Dorsal commences midway between the snout and the base 

 of the caudal, its osseous ray strong, and coarsely serrated. C audal 

 lobed in its last two-thirds. 



Colours. Purplish silvery along the back, becoming silvery 

 white from about four rows of scales above the lateral line. 



Bab. Central India, attaining 6 inches or more in length. 

 (To be continued.) 



Account of a visit to the Eastern and Northern frontiers of 

 Independent Sikkim, with notes on the Zoology of the 

 Alpine and Subalpine regions, Part I,* — by William T. Blan- 

 ford, F. G. S. ; C. M. Z. S. &c. 



(With a map, plate XXIY.) 



[Received 28th July, read 5th August, 1871.] 

 The extent to which the interior of Sikkim has been neglected 

 by Anglo-Indians is very remarkable. It is true that the country 

 does not present attractions in the way of sport, and this alone is 

 the inducement which takes nine-tenths of our countrymen into the 

 Alpine regions of the Western Himalayas. It is true also that 

 there are no roads, that the tracks along which it is necessary to 

 climb are frequently such as require the use of one's hands as well 

 as legs, that but few supplies are procurable, and that everything, 

 must be carried on coolies, who must be taken from British terri- 

 tory ; it is also true that the discomforts arising from frequent rain, 

 and the attacks of leeches and insects are, during part of the year, 

 a great drawback to travelling ; still it is a curious fact that 

 since Drs. Hooker and Campbell first explored the country in 1848- 

 49, but one European had penetrated to the passes of Donkia and 

 Kongra Lama before the visit I am about to describe, although 

 the country has been open to travellers during at least half the in- 



* This part contains the description of the journey, the second part will con- 

 sist of notes on the fauna, especially on the birds. 



