444 Notes, chiefly Botanical, made during an [May, 



design, and a human thigh bone, hollow and perforated through both 

 condyles. The shelves above contained various trifles, clay ornaments 

 and offerings, and little Hindu idols brought from the Hurdwar fair. 



Facing the altar is a bench and chair, and on one side a huge tam- 

 bourine, with two carved iron drum sticks. The bench was full of mys- 

 terious implements, bells handsomely carved with idols, censers with 

 juniper ashes, the dorge which the priest holds in his hand during 

 service, and various water vessels ; on the stool or chair was a large 

 platter, with a brass egg-cup inserted in it. 



Of these the human thigh-bone is by much the most curious ; it is 

 very often that of a Lama, and the longer they are the more value is 

 put upon them. As however the Sikkim Lamas are burned, these 

 relics are generally procured from Thibet, where the corpses are said to 

 be cut in pieces and thrown to the kites, or into the water. 



The Lama was consecrated at Chungachelling, one of the oldest 

 Sikkim convents (three centuries) and unfortunately was not an edu- 

 cated or intelligent fellow. 



Two boys usually reside in the temple, and their beds were given up 

 to us, which being only rough planks laid on the floor, proved clean in 

 one sense; but contrasted badly with the springy couch of bamboo the 

 Lepcha makes in your tent, and which renders carrying a matrass or 

 aught but blankets superfluous. 



May 24th. — We were awakened this morning by the discordant 

 orisons of the Lama, these commenced at sunrise by the boys coming 

 in and beating the great tambourine close to our ears for several minutes ; 

 then blowing the conch shells, and finally the thigh-bone, each as long. 

 Shortly the Lama entered, clad in scarlet, shorn and barefooted, with 

 a small red silk cap. He walked along, slowly muttering and groaning 

 his prayer to the end of the apartment, whence he took a small red bag in 

 which were a brass bell and dorge. Sitting down he commenced matins 

 before the chair with the brass cup, which he filled with water and 

 placed again in the platter, — took off his beads and continued counting 

 them or beating the bell, uttering most dismal prayers in a very depre- 

 catory tone, of which " Maliva oh Maliva," was the burthen. After 

 various disposals of the water-jugs, cups and platter, which were filled 

 and refilled, rice added and sprinkled about, — a large bell was violently 

 rung for some minutes, himself snapping his fingers and uttering most 



