1849.] Journal of a trip to Sikim. 529 



rather steeply to the saddle of Raklang, which is the connecting 

 point of the Tendong division of Sikim with the mountain of Mai- 

 nomchoo. This saddle is about 7000 feet high, and two roads diverge 

 at the point we made it ; one to Raklang Goomba, one march in a 

 northerly direction, and the other to the west to Pomingchi, and the 

 old Sikim Durbar via Lingdam, Kazing and Tassiding. In fact we have 

 come to-day along the high road from the N. W. districts, and from 

 the old to the present seat of Government. A very fair road it is too. 

 The last mile up to the saddle of Raklang runs through a fine forest ; 

 and this fine avenue continues on this side for more than a mile, when 

 suddenly emerging from the forest, Tassiding and Pomiongchi on the 

 opposite side of the Rungeet, burst upon you right in front and to the 

 west. Tassiding is from all points of view a very remarkable and strik- 

 ing feature, and it shall be more particularly described anon. To the 

 N. W. is Sunoong, a small Goomba, and beyond it in the same direction 

 is Powhunny, a flat-topped mountain, probably 8000 feet high, greatly 

 resembling Tendong, with a decaying Goomba on its summit. Further 

 west is the Kechoppery Goomba, on the north of which is said to be a 

 lake of the same name. From Lingdam 1 1 Goombas are visible ; they 

 are named, and bear by compass as follows : Mainomchoo N. 50 E. ; 

 Raklang N. 30 W. ; Sunoong 45 W. ; Kechoppery 73 W. ; Malli 77 W.; 

 Tassiding 77 W. ; Pomiongchi W. ; of Calling Powhunny, Mangberoo, 

 and Changachiling I did not get bearings. 



There is a high cliff on the west face of Mainomchoo, which has a 

 large patch of greenish blue on it. The people believe it is of tor- 

 quoise, for it is quite inaccessible. Hooker informs me that it is a 

 Lichen. After crossing the Rungpo we came upon a large rock 30 

 feet by 13, with "Om, Mane, Pemi, Om,"* carved on it in gigantic 

 letters 3 feet long, and in numerous places the same invocation in smaller 

 letters. At the upper left hand corner of the rock there is a large 

 inscription in the Thibetan character, which is supposed to record the 

 time at which the large letters were engraved, and something concern- 

 ing the person who engraved them. He was the head Lama of the 

 neighbouring Goomba at Raklang. This however is not authentic. 

 It is usual and proper for travellers to walk along the face of the rock 



* See a most interesting notice of this popular prayer by M. Hue, p. 238 of No. 

 49 of the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith. 



