212 Capt. Pembertoiis Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. [March, 



sacred, although after the first distrust had worn off, the Soobah did 

 not object to my fishing. We passed a Sam Gooroo* engaged in 

 building a wooden bridge ; he was the only instance I met with of a 

 Bootea priest making himself useful. He inquired of Capt. Pemberton, 

 with much condescension, of the welfare of the ' Goombhanee' and his 

 lordship the Governor General. 



24th. Left for Khegumpa. The march was almost entirely an 

 uninterrupted ascent, at least until we had reached 7000 feet, so that 

 the actual height ascended amounted nearly to 5000 feet. It com- 

 menced at first over sparingly wooded grassy hills, until an elevation 

 of about 4000 feet was attained, when the vegetation commenced to 

 change; rhododendrons, and some other plants of the same natural 

 family making their appearance. Having reached the elevation of 

 7000 feet by steep and rugged paths, we continued along ridges well 

 clothed with trees, literally covered with pendulous mosses and 

 lichens, the whole vegetation being extra tropical. At one time we 

 wound round a huge eminence, the bluff and bare head of which towered 

 several hundred feet above us, by a narrow rocky path or ledge over- 

 hanging deep precipices; and thence we proceeded nearly at the 

 same level along beautiful paths, through fine oak woods, until we 

 reached Khegumpa. The distance to which, although only eleven 

 miles, took us the whole day to perform. 



This march was a beautiful, as well as an interesting one, owing 

 to the changes that occurred in the vegetation. It was likewise 

 so varied, that although at a most unfavourable season of the year, I 

 gathered no fewer than 130 species in flower or fruit. Rhododendrons 

 of other species than that previously mentioned, oaks, chesnuts, maples, 

 violets, primroses, &c, &c. occurred. We did not pass any villages, nor 

 did we meet with any signs of habitation, excepting a few pilgrims 

 proceeding to Hazoo. 



Khegumpa itself is a small village on an exposed site ; it does not 

 contain more than twelve houses, and the only large one, which as 

 usual belonged to a Sam Gooroo, appeared to be in a ruinous state. 

 The elevation is nearly 7000 feet. The whole place bore a wintery 

 aspect, the vegetation being entirely northern, and almost all the trees 

 having lost their leaves. The cold was considerable, although the ther- 

 mometer did not fall below 46°. The scarlet tree rhododendron was 

 common, and the first fir tree occurred in the form of a solitary spe- 

 cimen of Pinus excelsa. In the small gardens attached to some of the 



* So are they called from their peculiar sanctity. Sam is a priest, and Gooroo also 

 a priest: each priest is therefore twice a priest. | 



