1839.] Capt. Pemberton' s Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. 291 



remarkably tremulous sensation of the tongue and lips. It is the 

 capsule of a species of Zanthoxylon found on other mountains to 

 the north-east, although I am not aware whether it is used as 

 a spice elsewhere than in Bootan. Captain Jenkins first pointed it out to 

 me, and I had several opportunities of seeing the shrub producing 

 it during my visit to Bootan. All these are of inferior quality, 

 scarcely less so, perhaps, than the article in which they pay the greater 

 part of even their nominal tribute. From Thibet they obtain all their 

 silks and tea, there is, however, very little intercourse between the 

 countries. 



I am afraid that this very imperfect account will be considered 

 as prejudiced ; but I believe it will be found, if put to the test, 

 tolerably faithful. I went into the country prepossessed in favour 

 of every thing bearing the name of Bootan — I expected to see a rich 

 country, and a civilized people. I need not say how all my ex- 

 pectations were disappointed. Whatever ulterior benefits may be 

 derived from the Mission, one, and that by no means inconsiderable, 

 has already resulted — I allude to the demolition of the extravagant 

 ideas entertained, even by our frontier officers, of the prowess and 

 riches of Bootan. As the Mission will have been the means of reducing 

 this people to their proper level among barbarous tribes, we may 

 expect their demeanour will become more respectful, their behaviour 

 more cautious, and the payment of the tribute more sound and 

 more punctual. In a word, they will understand that they are tolerated 

 by — not the equals of — the gigantic British power. I have stated 

 my opinion of them with some severity, but with impartiality; and my 

 conviction is, that they are in all the higher attributes very inferior 

 to any other mountainous tribe I am acquainted with on the north- 

 east frontier. 



It must not be supposed that, however disgusted with the inhabi- 

 tants of the country, the Mission was not a source of great gratification 

 to me. It afforded me an opportunity of visiting a very alpine coun- 

 try ; and, what is much more important, of fixing, through the kindness 

 and skill of Captain Pemberton, the localities of nearly 1500 species of 

 plants with such accuracy, that the collection will be of much inter- 

 est to all students of botanical geography. It afforded me too an 

 opportunity of profiting from the valuable instructions of Captain 

 Pemberton ; so much so, that it will always be a matter of regret to 

 me that I was so ignorant of so many essential requisites during the 

 other journeys I have had the honour of performing. 



WILLIAM GRIFFITH, 

 Asst. Surg. Madras Est. in Med. charge Bootan Mission. 

 Qq 



