1839.] Capt. Pembertoris Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. 229 



The march was throughout beautiful, particularly through the. forest, 

 which abounded in picturesque glades. No villages or cultivation 

 were seen. 



Tchinjipjee is perhaps the prettiest place we saw in Bootan j our 

 halting place stood on fine sward, well ornamented with (Quercus 

 seme carpifolia ?J very picturesque oaks, and two fine specimens of 

 weeping cypress. The surrounding hills are low, either almost en- 

 tirely bare or clothed with pines. The village is of ordinary size, 

 and is the only one visible in any direction; its elevation is 786 

 feet. There is some cultivation about it, chiefly of barley, mixed 

 with radishes. 



March 27th. We continued following the river upwards, the path 

 running generally at a small height above its bed. Having crossed it 

 by a rude wooden bridge, we diverged up a tributary stream, until 

 we reached a small village ; we thence continued ascending over easy 

 grassy slopes, here and there prettily wooded, until we reached the 

 base of the chief ascent, which is not steep, but long, the path running 

 along the margin of a rhododendron and juniper wood : the height 

 of its summit is 10,873 feet. Thence to Rydang was an uninterrup- 

 ted and steep descent, the path traversing very beautiful woods of 

 rhododendrons, oaks, yews, &c. Snow was still seen lingering in 

 sheltered places above 10,000 feet. The march throughout was 

 beautiful. In the higher elevations the Bogh Pat was very com- 

 mon. 



Besides the village mentioned, two temporary ones were seen near 

 the base of the great ascent, built for the accommodation of the Yaks 

 and their herdsmen : of this curious animal two herds were seen at 

 some distance. 



Rydang is prettily situated towards the bottom of a steep ravine : 

 its elevation is 6963 feet. A few villages occur about it, with some 

 barley and wheat cultivation. 



March 28th. We descended directly to the river Gnee, which drains 

 the ravine, and continued down it sometime, crossing it once ; then 

 diverging up a small nullah we commenced an ascent, which did not 

 cease until we had reached an elevation of 8374 feet. Continuing 

 for sometime at this elevation we traversed picturesque oak and rho- 

 dodendron woods, with occasionally swardy spots ; subsequently des- 

 cending for a long time until we reached Santagong. 



Oak and rhododendron woods continued common until we approach- 

 ed Santagong, in the direction of which the trees became stunted, 

 and the country presented a barren aspect. Several villages were 

 however seen in various directions, surrounded with cultivation. 



