1849.] Journal of a trip to Sikim. 493 



tion, and rounded form, is also remarkable as the centre of a number 

 of prominent spurs and ridges. 



To the south it throws off Sankarjong and Lakharry ; to the west 

 Sundoopchi and the Namgialachi ridge, which connects it with Silukfoke 

 to the N. W. and N. Manbroo, and Atooknot to the S. E. the spur of 

 Burmeok. The whole of this extensive tract is, I think, remarkable for 

 scarcity of water at high elevations. Certainly so as compared with 

 the Sinchul or Darjeeling division of Sikim. The road travelled to-day, 

 not including my topping of Tendong is nowhere, I think, of a higher 

 elevation than 7000 feet, yet in 12 or 14 miles there are, but two 

 springs of water, i. e. at Baktchin and Atooknot, and they are some 

 way below it. On the Auckland road, Darjeeling, 6900 feet, which runs 

 for 3 miles round the west of the Jilla Pahar, which is only 7600 feet ; 

 there are at least half a dozen of springs, and all of them rising well 

 above the road. Tendong has the rock cropping out freely on the N. 

 and west faces indeed it is very rocky, whereas the Jilla Pahar is on its 

 N. and W. sides covered with deep soil, and hence perhaps the differ- 

 ence. The same peculiarities as contrasted with the Tendong region 

 apply to Sinchul. From Atooknot to Temi, direction E., the soil is 

 rather stiff, reddish and clayey. Temi is the station of a Phipun ; he is 

 subordinate to Mahapun Kada, who manages the country between the 

 Teesta and Namchi, exclusive of Burmeok, which is under the Kaji of 

 that name. 



We heard to-day that they have had great doings lately at the 

 Raja's on the occasion of his eldest son's marriage. The bride is a 

 Thibetan lady, fresh imported for the occasion. Her relations have 

 accompanied her to the Durbar to grace the bridal ceremony with their 

 presence, and to carry back the remainder of the endowment money, 

 (Vulgo, purchase money.) 



In 1841 the second son, and heir-apparent of the Raja, died without 

 issue. The eldest, Tubgain Lama, was the high priest, — head Lama 

 of the kingdom, — and bound to celibacy, so that there was no presump- 

 tive heir except a boy of illegitimate birth, the nephew of Dunia Nam- 

 gay, now the chief minister. It was first recommended that the Raja 

 should take unto himself a young wife in the hope of raising an heir 

 to his house, and he did so : but to no avail. Then it was tried to pro- 

 cure the recognized succession for the illegitimate son, but this has failed 



3 s 2 



