Jan. 1849. ARRIVAL AT BUCKEEM. 357 



pigtails, and combed their long hair over their eyes and faces. 

 It is from fresh-fallen snow alone that much inconvenience 

 is felt ; owing, I suppose, to the light reflected from the 

 myriads of facets which the crystals of snow present. I have 

 never suffered inconvenience in crossing beds of old snow, 

 or glaciers with weathered surfaces, which absorb a great 

 deal of light, and reflect comparatively little, and that little 

 coloured green or blue. 



The descent was very laborious, especially through the 

 several miles of bush and rock which lie below the summit: 

 so that, although we started at 10 a. m., it was dark by the 

 time we reached Buckeem, where we found two lame coolies, 

 whom we had left on our way up, and who were keeping 

 up a glorious fire for our reception. 



MAITRYA, THE SIXTH OR COMING BOODH. 



