236 Capt. Pemberton's Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. [March, 



with on this march. Near the summit, on the descent, a genuine 

 larch was observed, and lower down two species of poplar were very 

 common. The scenery was generally very beautiful. We passed a 

 delightfully situated Gylong village not much below the summit, and 

 near Woollookha saw Symtoka, a rather large square building be- 

 longing to the Deb Rajah, situated two or three hundred feet above 

 our road. 



Woollookha is a good sized village, and the houses are very good : 

 it is close to the river Teemboo, which drains Tassisudon valley, a 

 few miles distant to the north. There are several villages around it, 

 and a good deal of cultivation of alternating crops of barley, wheat, 

 and rice. The valley, if indeed it can be called so, for it is very nar- 

 row, is picturesque enough, although the surrounding hills are not well 

 wooded. The banks of the river, which here flows gently enough, 

 are well ornamented with weeping willows. 



11 th. We continued our route following the river, the path gene- 

 rally laying down its bed, or close to it, occasionally ascending two 

 or three hundred feet above it. Halted at Lomnoo, an easy march. 

 The features of the country remained the same until we neared our 

 halting place, when Woods of Pinus excelsa became very common ; 

 roses occurred in profusion, and the vegetation generally consisted of 

 shrubs ; villages were tolerably frequent, and the cuckoo* was again 

 heard. 



\2th. To Chupcha. Continued for some time through a precisely simi- 

 lar country, still following the river, but generally at some height above 

 its bed. After passing Panga, a small village at which our conduc- 

 tors wished us to halt, although it was only six miles from Somnoo, 

 we descended gradually to the river Teemboo, and continued along 

 it for some time, during which we passed the remains of a suspension 

 bridge. Leaving the rivers soon afterwards, we encountered such a long 

 ascent that we did not reach Chupcha till rather late in the evening, 

 most of the coolies remaining behind. Having surmounted the ridge 

 immediately above Chupcha, and which is about 8600 feet in altitude, 

 we descended very rapidly to the village, which is about 600 feet 

 lower down the face of the mountain. The road was for the most 

 part tolerably good ; in one place it was built up along the face of a 

 <• I iff overhanging the Teemboo. The scenery was throughout pretty, 

 but especially before coining on the ascent : some of the views along 

 the river were very picturesque. 



* The firel time] heard this bird was about Punukka. Although in plumage it 

 differs a good deal from the bird so well known in Europe, yet its voice is precisely 

 similar. 



