382 Narrative of a Journey from Soobathoo [No. 125. 



and none at all in the pass itself. The wind blew with irresistible vio- 

 lence, and although the thermometer was four degrees above the freez- 

 ing point, it chilled us so much, that the numbness of our hands con- 

 tinued almost until we reached camp, to which we descended by a good 

 broad road cut into long zigzags, and crossed by some rivulets entirely 

 frozen. 



Soongnum is a town of considerable extent and beauty, it is situate 

 on the point under which the Darboong and Bonkeeo unite, the former 

 is a stream of some size, and comes from the N. W., the latter is small, 

 and has its source near Hungrung Pass. The dell through which the 

 Darboong flows is broad and level, and almost an entire sheet of cul- 

 tivation for about three miles ; it is a beautiful spot, and the extensive 

 vineyards and number of apricot trees have a fine effect ; it is shut in to 

 the north and south by mountains not under 14,000 feet, to the N. W. 

 is a steep and high pass to Ludak, and on the eastward lies the Sutlej , 

 which the Darboong joins under the village of Sheasoo, four or five 

 miles further down the glen. 



Soongnum is inhabited chiefly by Lamas, and its extreme height is 

 9,340 feet. Trees which we had not seen since we left Numgeea, 

 appeared in this vicinity thinly scattered upon the surrounding moun- 

 tains, they consist of keloo or kelmung and ree, both varieties of the 

 pine ; the last kind which produces the neoza almond in shape, resem- 

 bling the pistachio nut, and in taste not inferior, is peculiar to Koona- 

 wur, and does not grow to the westward of the Buspa or Wangpo 

 rivers. 



In the evening we were entertained with a Lama concert, which was 

 far from disagreeable, the music was high and low alternately, one set 

 singing the bass and another the treble. 



25 th October. — After crossing the Darboong by a good sango we 

 marched to Lubrung, a distance of ten and a half miles ; the road was 

 good, winding very much, and crossing the Roonung Pass, 14,508 feet 

 high, at the top of which the wind was as strong and cold as yester- 

 day. We found a great deal of juniper on the way, and the berries 

 were large and well tasted, having little bitterness. 



Labrung is a large village upon the right bank of a rivulet called 

 Zong, a couple of miles from the Sutlej, and 9,296 feet above the sea; 

 opposite to it, and a mile distant, is the populous town of Kanum, where 



