May, 1849. RAINS. LEECHES AND INSECTS. 17 



a mile, presenting a confused mass of white micaceous clay, 

 full of angular masses of rock. The path was very difficult 

 and dangerous, being carried along the steep slope, at an 

 angle, in some places, of 35°; and it was constantly shifting, 

 from the continued downward sliding, and from the action 

 of streams, some of which are large, and cut deep channels. 

 In one I had the misfortune to lose my only sheep, which 

 was carried away by the torrent. These streams were crossed 

 by means of sticks and ricketty bamboos, and the steep 

 sides (sometimes twenty or thirty feet high), were ascended 

 by notched poles. 



The weather continued very hot for the elevation (4000 

 to 5000 feet), the rain brought no coolness, and for the 

 greater part of the three marches between Singtam and 

 Chakoong, we were either wading through deep mud, or 

 climbing over rocks. Leeches swarmed in incredible pro- 

 fusion in the streams and damp grass, and among the 

 bushes : they got into my hair, hung on my eyelids, and 

 crawled up my legs and down my back. I repeatedly took 

 upwards of a hundred from my legs, where the small ones 

 used to collect in clusters on the instep : the sores which 

 they produced were not healed for five months afterwards, 

 and I retain the scars to the present day. Snuff and 

 tobacco leaves are the best antidote, but when marching in 

 the rain, it is impossible to apply this simple remedy to any 

 advantage. The best plan I found to be rolling the leaves 

 over the feet, inside the stockings, and powdering the legs 

 with snuff. 



Another pest is a small midge, or sand-fly, which causes 

 intolerable itching, and subsequent irritation, and is in this 

 respect the most insufferable torment in Sikkim; the 

 minutest rent in one's clothes is detected by the acute 

 senses of this insatiable bloodsucker, which is itself so 



VOL. II. 



