82 KONGRA LAMA PASS. Chap. XXI. 



and Melville Island), and the strong-scented spikenard 

 {Nardostachys) . 



The rocks were chiefly of reddish quartz, and so was 

 the base of Chomiomo. Kinchinjhow on the contrary was 

 of gneiss, with granite veins : the strike of both was north- 

 west, and the dip north-cast 20° to 30°. 



We made a fire at the top with sheep's droppings, of 

 which the Phipnn had brought np a bagfull, and with it a 

 pair of goat-skin bellows, which worked by a slit that was 

 opened by the hand in the act of raising; when inflated, the 

 hole was closed, and the skin pressed down, thus forcing 

 the air through the bamboo nozzle : this is the common 

 form of bellows throughout Tibet and the Himalaya. 



After two hours I was very stiff and cold, and suffering 

 from headache and giddiness, owing to the elevation ; and 

 1 laving walked about thirteen miles botanizing, I was 

 glad to ride down. We reached the Phipun's tents about 

 6 p.m., and had more tea before proceeding to Tungu. 

 The night was fortunately fine and calm, with a few stars 

 and a bright young moon, which, with the glare from the 

 siioavs, lighted up the valley, and revealed magnificent 

 glimpses of the majestic mountains. As the moon sank, 

 and we descended the narrowing valley, darkness came on, 

 and with a boy to lead my sure-footed pony, I Avas at liberty 

 uninterruptedly to reflect on the events of a day, on which 

 I had attained the object of so many years' ambition. 

 Now that all obstacles were surmounted, and I was returning 

 laden with materials for extending the knowledge of a 

 science which had formed the pursuit of my life, will it be 

 wondered at that I felt proud, not less for my own sake, 

 than for that of the many friends, both in India and at 

 home, who were interested in my success ? 



We arrived at Tungu at 9 p.m., my pony not having 



