328 SIKKIM HIMALAYA. Chap. XIV. 



these succeed laurels and magnolias, and higher up still, 

 oaks, chesnuts, birches, &c. ; there is, however, no marked 

 line between the limits of these two last forests, which 

 form the prevailing arboreous vegetation between 4000 

 and 10,000 feet, and give a lurid hue to the moun- 

 tains. Pine forests succeed for 2000 feet higher, when 

 they give place to a skirting of rhododendron and 

 berberry. Among these appear black naked rocks, rising 

 up in cliffs, between which are gulleys, down which the 

 snow now (on the 1st January) descended to 12,000 feet. 

 The mountain flanks are much more steep and rocky than 

 those at similar heights on the outer ranges, and cataracts 

 are very numerous, and of considerable height, though 

 small in volume. 



Pemiongchi is at the same elevation as Dorjiling, and the 

 contrast between the shoulders of 8000 to 10,000 feet on 

 Kinchin junga, and those of equal height on Tendon g and 

 Tonglo, is very remarkable : looking at the latter mountains 

 from Dorjiling, the observer sees no rock, waterfall, or pine, 

 throughout their whole height ; whereas the equally wooded 

 flanks of these inner ranges are rocky, streaked with thread- 

 like waterfalls, and bristling with silver firs. 



This temple, the most ancient in Sikkim, is said to be 

 400 years old; it stands on a paved platform, and is of the 

 same form and general character as those of Tassiding. 

 Inside, it is most beautifully decorated, especially the 

 beams, columns, capitals and architraves, but the designs 

 are coarser than those of Tassiding.* The square end of 

 every beam in the roof is ornamented either with a lotus 

 flower or with a Tibetan character, in endless diversity 



* Mr. Hodgson informed me that many of the figures and emblems in this 

 temple are those of Tantrica Boodhism, including Shiva, Devi, and other deities 

 usually called Brahminical ; Kakotak, or the snake king, a figure terminating 

 below in a snake, is also seen ; with the tiger, elephant, and curly-maned lion. 



