1839.] Capt. Pembertorts Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. 253 



Of the climate, which is necessarily so varied, it would be useless 

 to attempt to give an account ; indeed the only two places of the cli- 

 mate of which the mean could be given for even one month, are 

 Tongsa and Punukka. The mean for the month of March at Tongsa 

 may be estimated at 56° 3', the maximum heat between the 6th and 

 21st instant being 63°, and the minimum 51°. I have elsewhere 

 stated the results of the observations made at Punukka. Throughout 

 the barren portions of the country, which are so generally limited to 

 inconsiderable elevations, the heat must no doubt be great during the 

 summer months; at Punukka in April the sun was found very 

 incommoding after 9 a. m ; and as a proof of the heat at such eleva- 

 tions as 7000 feet in some places, I may readvert to the culture of rice 

 at, and above Tongsa. The ravines are, however, very narrow about 

 this place, and the faces of the mountain on which the cultivation oc- 

 curred had a western aspect. 



In very many places, however, more abstracted from the influence 

 of radiated heat, delightful climates may be found. It is curious, 

 though not singular, that the best situations were always found occu- 

 pied by Gylong villages. Considerable elevation is, in addition to other 

 minor causes, requisite at least for a Bootea, during the summer 

 months: thus the Gylong villages were rarely seen under 8000 feet, 

 and oftener about 9000 feet; and the chiefs find a summer change of 

 residence necessary, during which they repair to elevations varying 

 from 7000 to 9000 feet. 



The change in the Deb's residence from Punukka to Tassisudon in 

 the summer, and vice versa in the winter, is to be accounted for, espe- 

 cially the latter change, on principles of equalization; that is, the 

 ryots about the one place are obstinate enough to refuse supplies for 

 more than six months ; such at least was the story heard by us, 

 although it is rendered doubtful, by the total want of regard evinced 

 by the rulers of the land for the interest of their subjects. The most 

 delightful climate we experienced was that of May at Chupcha, which 

 is situated on the steep face of a mountain with a south west aspect, yet 

 the temperature ranged from 46° to 51°. A week afterwards, and we 

 were exposed to the unmitigated fierceness of a Bengal sun at the 

 hottest time of the year. 



The most disagreeable part of the climate of Bootan exists in the 

 violence of the winds, more particularly in the valleys. The direc- 

 tion of these winds, which are very gusty, is invariably up the 

 ravines, or contrary to the course of the draining torrents, no matter 

 what direction these may have; the winds therefore are dependent 

 upon local circumstances, as might be expected from the dryness of the 



