DARJILING 89 



branches and trunks of which are festooned with 

 vines and smilax and covered with ferns and 

 orchids, and at the base of which grow violets, 

 lobeUas, and geraniums, with berberries, brambles, 

 and hydrangeas — it is adapted as few other places 

 are for the contemplation of Nature's Beauty in its 

 most splendid aspects. 



Its only disadvantage is that it is so continually 

 shrouded in mist. The range on which it stands 

 being the first range against which the moisture- 

 laden currents from the Bay of Bengal strike, the 

 rainfall is very heavy and amounts to 140 or 160 

 inches in the year. And even when rain is not 

 actually falling there is much cloud hanging 

 about the mountains. So the traveller cannot 

 count upon seeing the snows. There is no cer- 

 tainty that as he tops the ridge or turns the corner 

 he will see Kinchinjunga in the full blaze of its 

 glory. He cannot be as sure of seeing it as he is 

 of seeing a picture on entering a gallery. During 

 the month of November alone is there a reasonable 

 surety. All the rest of the year he must take his 

 chance and possess his soul in patience till the 

 miountain is graciously pleased to reveal herself. 



Perhaps because of the uncertainty of seeing 

 Kinchinjunga the view when it is seen is all the 

 more impressive. The traveller waits for hours 

 and days, even for only a glimpse. One minute's 

 sight of the mountains would satisfy him. But 

 still the clouds eddy about in fleecy billows wholly 

 obscuring the mountains. Six thousand feet. below 

 may now and then be seen the silver streak of the 

 Rangit River and forest-clad mountains beyond. 



