Auo. 1849. LIME DEPOSIT. 97 



the edges, where a water-insect [Notonectd) was swimming 

 about. 



Below this I passed an extensive stalactitic deposit of 

 lime, and a seeond occurred lower down, on the opposite 

 side of the valley. The apparently total absence of lime- 

 stone rocks in any part of Sikkim (for which I made 

 careful search), renders these deposits, which are far from 

 unfrequent, very curious. Can the limestone, which 

 appears in Tibet, underlie the gneiss of Sikkim ? We 

 cannot venture to assume that these lime-charged streams, 

 which in Sikkim burst from the steep flanks of narrow 

 mountain spurs, at elevations between 1000 and 7000 feet, 

 have any very remote or deep origin. If the limestone be 

 not below the gneiss, it must either occur intercalated with 

 it, or be the remains of a formation now all but denuded in 

 Sikkim. 



Terrific landslips had taken place along the valley, 

 carrying down acres of rock, soil, and pine-forests, into the 

 stream. I saw one from Kampo Samdong, on the opposite 

 flank of the valley, which swept over 100 yards in breadth 

 of forest. 1 looked in vain for any signs of scratching or 

 scoring, at all comparable to that produced by glacial 

 action. The bridge at the Tuktoong, mentioned at p. 31, 

 being carried away, we had to ascend for 1000 feet (to a 

 place where the river could be crossed) by a very precipitous 

 path, and descend on the opposite side. In many places 

 we had great difficulty in proceeding, the track being 

 obliterated by the rains, torrents, and landslips. Along 

 the flats, now covered with a dense rank vegetation, we 

 waded ancle, and often knee, deep in mud, swarming with 

 leeches ; and instead of descending into the valley of 

 the now too swollen Lachen, we made long detours, rounding 

 spurs by canes and bamboos suspended from trees. 



VOL. II. 



