462 Journal of a trip in the Sikkim Himalaya. [ISTo. 5, 



at Darjeeling to lay in a supply of rice for us, but had not been able 

 to do so, as very little rice bad been cultivated, in consequence of the 

 flight across the Eungeet of the majority of the cultivators during 

 the recent disturbances. They could only supply one maund of rice, 

 and three or four of Indian corn. But I soon found out that this 

 was not the case, and that plenty of rice was forthcoming on making 

 money advances for it, which I accordingly did, and had it sent after 

 us, some as far as Jongli, and some placed in Caches at intermediate 

 stations. 



From Pemioncbee, which is 7000 feet high, a fine view of the snow 

 is obtained, also of the valley of the Eatong. The monastery of 

 Chanacheeling is perched upon a high peak of the Pemionchee range 

 to the westward, and at present is made the repository of all the books 

 and other relics saved when the Pemionchee Goompa was burnt. 

 Sinchul and Darjeeling are visible over the Kulloo Mendong twenty 

 miles in direct distance. 



This morning the weather was again very fine ; the thermometer 

 at sunrise stood 48° . Dr. Simpson photographed the snow, the 

 Goompa and one of the Llama's houses. Left Pemionchee at 8.45 

 A. M. ; and after a steep descent and rapid walk of 45 minutes reached 

 the village of Chonpoong, consisting of about fifteen well built houses 

 very pleasantly situated at the foot of a tree forest, on a rather flat 

 terrace on a spur of the Pemionchee hill. It commands good views 

 on three sides to the north. Eksum is seen in the foreground, looking 

 very flat and having a quantity of cultivation roixnd it. The deep and 

 thickly wooded valley of the Eatong is conspicuous winding to the 

 west, across which are plainly visible the fine waterfalls of Lemgong, 

 dashing headlong down perpendicular walls of gneiss rock, over which 

 a near view of the Nursing and Junnoo mountains is obtained, but 

 Kanchungingah is depressed behind the Baraborony hill. To the east 

 a high mountain in Sikkim is striking, and the monasteries of Baking 

 and Tassiding, the latter perched upon a conical hill standing apart 

 from all others. To the west, the distant view of the Singaleelah range, 

 seen across the valley of the Eingbi, is very grand. Altogether the 

 view from Chonpoong is striking and beautiful, but that of the snow 

 is limited, and far less grand than that obtained from Darjeeling. 



It was our intention to proceed direct to Eksum, which is the 

 shortest road by several miles ; but understanding from the villagers 



