1871.] W. T. Blanford— Journey through Sikkim. 379 



The path continued steep for another 1000 feet, and led up a crag- 

 gy spur, too steep for trees in most places. Had the weather been 

 fine, the view over Sikkim would, in all probability, have been 

 magnificent, but, unfortunately, a dense mist shrouded everything. 

 On the top there was much rhododendron scrub, but the road now 

 led along the crest of the spur through small rhododendron trees, 

 and then emerged into open grassy valleys with patches of forest 

 formed of rhododendrons and silver fir. Here, at an elevation of 

 12000 feet, I first came upon traces of former glaciers in the shape 

 of small pools in marshy hollows dammed up by what were evi- 

 dently little moraines. I had been carefully watching for marks 

 of glacial action at a lower elevation, but could find none whatever ; 

 if any ever existed they have long since been obliterated by the 

 tremendous rainfall and consequent disintegration and denudation 

 of the surface. In the interior of Sikkim, as will be seen here- 

 after, this is not the case ; there glaciers have left unmistakable 

 marks at least 6000 feet lower. 



Elwes was, as usual, ahead ; I had marched along quietly, shoot- 

 ing birds, looking for landshells, &c. On my road I met the Kaji's 

 servant bringing me a bamboo pot of marwa, which was very 

 agreeable, even in the cold climate we had now reached at 12000 

 feet. The Kaji had been very polite, and had supplied us with 

 marwa at each day's halt, by no means eschewing the beverage 

 himself. Almost every one who travels in Sikkim takes a liking to 

 this most refreshing drink, however much he may despise it whilst 

 soda water is still available. 



In the grassy valleys were large herds of cattle driven up to 

 this elevation for pasturage in the summer ; in the winter they are 

 taken down to the warm valleys. During the rainy season I 

 doubt if any terrestrial animals can exist in the forest between 

 4000 or 5000 and 9000 feet, they would be in all probability de- 

 stroyed by the leeches. It is certain that the only mammals found 

 are squirrels, monkeys, and a few other arboreal forms ; even the 

 pheasants are wanting, after the Kalij, Gallophcms melanonotus, is left 

 at about 5000 feet*, until Ceriomis is met with at nearly 10,000 feet. 



* Jerdon gives for the range of this Gallophasis 3000 to 8000 ft., Beavan 

 (Ibis 1868, p. 381,) 2U00 to 7000. I suspect this is in the cold season, when L 



