512 Journal of a trip through Kunawur, fyc. [No. 101. 



asked what those effects consist of, and 'where they are ? — and he 

 accordingly states them one after another. 



This is sometimes deemed sufficient proof; but if doubts still 

 remain, the effects of the deceased are brought and mixed with other 

 things, and the young aspirant is desired to show what are his, and 

 what are not. 



If further proof be still necessary, the child is desired to give 

 some token that he is the Grand Lama, which he does by commanding 

 them to carry him to some spot which he points out, and there 

 he places his hand or his foot on a rock or large stone ; when — 

 "mirabile dicta," — if the spirit of the Lama be really within him, 

 the impression remains indented upon the rock ! ! 



This is deemed conclusive, as well it might be, and the urchin is 

 at once proclaimed Grand Lama ; presents are showered upon him 

 from all quarters far and near, and he is carefully instructed in the 

 rites and mysteries of his religion, and in due time proceeds to his 

 head quarters in Chinese Tartary. 



Among the rocks, but chiefly on the crumbling accumulations of 

 debris in the neighbourhood of Nako, and even at Chungo, there is a 

 plant found whose root is long and strikes perpendicularly downwards 

 to some depth, the outer coat or fibres of which produce a rich and 

 beautiful crimson dye. It is said however to be fugitive, but this may 

 arise from ignorance of any chemical mode of fixing it. It is used by 

 the Lamas to stain their images. The Tartars call it " khame." Be-, 

 hind Nako, at some distance, rises the mighty mountain called in the 

 language of the country " Purgule," and towering aloft to a height 

 which exceeds 20,000 feet. It derives its name from its form, the 

 word signifying " cone-shaped or conical," hence it is applied, like the 

 term " Kylass," to any mountain of that form. 



From Nako I proceeded a short down hill march to Leeo, which 

 is situated in the bed of the valley below, at a depth of 3,000 feet. The 

 day was excessively hot at this place, which is completely shut in by 

 hills rising on every side to the height of seven and eight thousand feet 

 above it. Its crops of barley, wheat, and peas, were beautifully rich 

 and luxuriant, and the numerous apricot trees were loaded with fruit, 

 though as yet small and unripe. The grain is reaped at this village 

 towards the latter end of July and beginning of August. In the dis- 

 trict of Spiti the harvest takes place in the lower and more sheltered 



