July, 1849. TUNGU. HOSPITALITY OF TIBETANS. 



93 



of marmot * (" Kardiepieu ' of the Tibetans) sometimes 

 migrates in swarms (like the Lapland " Lemming ") from 

 Tibet as far as Tungu. There are few birds but red- 





'*?f^m-m 



TIBET MARMOT. 



legged crows and common ravens. Most of the insects 

 belonged to arctic types, and they were numerous in 

 individuals, f 



The Choongtam Lama was at a small temple near Tungu 

 during the whole of my stay, but he would not come to visit 

 me, pretending to be absorbed in his devotions. Passing- 

 one day by the temple, I found him catechising two young 

 aspirants for holy orders. He is one of the Dukpa sect, 

 wore his mitre, and was seated cross-legged on the grass 

 with his scriptures on his knees : he put questions to the 

 boys, when he who answered best took the other some yards 



* The Lagopits Tibetanus of Hodgson. I procured one that displayed au 

 extraordinary tenacity of life : part of the skull was shot away, and the brain 

 protruded; still it showed the utmost terror at my dog. 



f As Meloe, and some flower-feeding lamellicorns. Of butterflies I saw blues 

 [Polyommatus), marbled whites, Pontia, Codas and A rgywtiis. A small Ourculio 

 was frequent, and I found Scolopendra, ants and earthworms, on sunny exposures 

 as high as 15,500 feet. 



