1848.] Routes from Darjeeling to Thibet. 489 



stupendous object from every part of Sikim. Besides the highest peak 

 of Kunchinjinga, and forming portions of this glorious mountain, are the 

 subordinate ones of Pundeem, Kubroo, Nursingh, &c. covered with per- 

 petual snow. To the north-east of Darjeeling and at no greater dis- 

 tance are the snowy peaks of Chola, Gangri and Yakla. These latter 

 mountains, with the giant Kunchinjinga, form the great barrier be- 

 tween India and Thibet in this direction, and lying under their mighty 

 shadows is the sub-Himalaya, which forms the principality of Sikim. 



Rivers. — All the rivers of Sikim noted in these Routes have exit in 

 the plains by the Teesta, or the Koosi. The Teesta is the great 

 drainer of Sikim, and receives all the waters of its upper regions. The 

 lower hills being drained on the west of the Darjeeling Tract by the 

 Balasun and Mechi, and on the east by the Mahanuddi. The feeders 

 of the Koosi which occur in the route via Kanglachema No. 1, all rise 

 in Nepal to the north and west of the Kanglanamoo spur of Kun- 

 chinjinga, and by a south and westerly course fall into the Tambur or 

 most eastern branch of the Koosi, the principal feeders of the Tees. 

 tah. West of Kunchinjinga are the little and great Rungeet, the Rum- 

 mam, the Kullait, Ratong, Chooroong and Rungbee. From the east of 

 Kunchinjinga the Rungbo, Lachoong, Lachen, and the Teesta proper 

 so called, which rises in the eastern face of Kunchinjinga itself. The 

 Rungbo is sometimes called the little Teesta, and divides Sikim from 

 Bootan above its junction with the Teesta, whence to the plains the 

 Teesta is the boundary between these two countries. 



The Tashirukpa and Choomachoo of the Route No. 1, rise in Thibet 

 and are feeders of the Arun which is, I believe, the greatest branch of 

 the Koosi. 



The Machoo noted in the Yakla and Chola routes runs through 

 Bootan and reaches the plains I believe by the Gudada, which falls into 

 the Burumpootra at Rangamutty. 



I hope by and by to furnish the Society with a protraction of these 

 routes by Major Crommelin. 



No. I. 



Route from Darjeeling to Bigarchi (Shigatzi) by Jongri and the 

 Kanglachema Pass of the Snoivy Range. 

 1 . Seriong via Tuqvor. — Cross the little Rungeet, ascend to Goke, 



