July, 1849. EXCURSION" TO TIBETAN CAMP. 83 



stumbled once, though the path was rugged, and crossed by 

 many rapid streams. The Soubah's little shaggy steed had 

 carried his portly frame (fully fifteen stone weight) the 

 whole way out and back, and when he dismounted, it 

 shook itself, snorted, and seemed quite ready for supper. 



On the following morning I was occupied in noting and 

 arranging my collections, which consisted of upwards of 

 200 plants ; all gathered above 14,000 feet elevation.*" 

 Letters arrived from Dorjiling with unusual speed, having 

 been only seventeen days on the road : they were full of] 

 valuable suggestions and encouragement from my friends 

 Hodgson, Campbell, and Tchebu Lama. 



On the 26th of July the Phipun, who waited on me 

 every morning with milk and butter, and whose civility and 

 attentions were now unremitting, proposed that I should 

 accompany him to an encampment of Tibetans, at the foot 

 of Kinchinjhow. We mounted ponies, and ascended the 

 Tunguchoo eastwards : it was a rapid river for the first 

 thousand feet, flowing in a narrow gorge, between sloping, 

 grassy, and rocky hills, on which large herds of yaks were 

 feeding, tended by women and children, whose black tents 

 were scattered about. The yak-calves left their mothers to 

 run beside our ponies, which became unmanageable, being 

 almost callous to the bit ; and the whole party was 

 sometimes careering over the slopes, chased by the grunting 

 herds : in ether places, the path was narrow and dangerous, 

 when the sagacious animals proceeded with the utmost 

 gravity and caution. Rounding one rocky spur, my pony 

 stumbled, and pitched me forward : fortunately I lighted 

 on the path. 



* Amongst them the most numerous Natural orders and genera were, Crucifcrce 

 10; Composites 20; Ranunculacece 10; Alsbiece 9; Astragali 10 ; Potentillce 8; 

 grasses 12; Carices 15; Pedictdaris 7 ': Boraginere 7 '. 



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