1848.] Narrative of a Journey to Cho Lagan, fyc. 109 



(F. esculentum ?) Khas : Phdpar, Bhot : Bhey ; Tarnips, Khas : 

 Salgam, Bhot : Chankan ; Amaranth, red and white ; and Tobacco 

 in flower. The above crops are well advanced but not quite ripe yet : 

 the two last (Amaranth and Tobacco) do not grow above this. 



The people of Budhi are all Bhotias, but in site and climate the 

 village belongs rather to the Sub -Alpine regions, like Chaudans, though 

 it lies north of the great snowy mountain Api. Its elevation is 8750 

 feet. 



Immediately above Budhi a steep hill ridge advances from the moun- 

 tain side on our left (N. W.) and extends across the width of the valley, 

 leaving but a narrow passage for the river, close under the mountains 

 on the opposite bank. The ascent, though considerable (some 1750 

 feet) is tolerably easy, by a fair smooth path, much better than any 

 part of the road this side of the Dhauli, the lower boundary of Bhot, 

 in this quarter. The summit, Cheto Binaik, at an elevation of about 

 10,500 feet, is the entrance to upper Byans. 



On the ascent of the hill some alteration is apparent in the style of 

 vegetation ; new species of Fir and Pine take the place of other trees, 

 and the undergrowth of weeds, &c. diminishes. At the top the change 

 of scenery and climate is complete, sudden and most agreeable, from the 

 narrow dark ravine of the lower Kali, with its damp and stagnant 

 atmosphere, to an open sunny Alpine valley, with a fair expanse of 

 comparative level. The lower parts of the valley towards the river are 

 occupied with villages and cultivation ; thence forests of Fir, Pine, and 

 Birch, slope up to the base of the surrounding mountains, which rise 

 on all sides in noble castellated walls of rock crowned with snow, and 

 towering into the clouds; the extreme snowy summits are hidden by 

 the prominence of their lofty outworks. If perfection of climate and 

 scenery could compensate for inconvenient seclusion and uncivilized 

 condition of its people, this place would afford a most delightful sum- 

 mer residence ; the top of the hill, or the northren slope of it facing 

 the Bhotia valley, would give many fine sites for a house or standing 

 camp. 



A gradual descent leads over sloping upland clothed with fine close 

 turf, on which Chanwrs* and Zhobus are grazing ; then through clean 

 open forest of silver Fir (Picea Pindrow or Webbiana, Bhot : Woman, 

 and Pine (Pinus excelsa) Khas : Raisalla, Bhot : " Lam-shiny 

 * Indian name for the Yak of Tibet. 



