1848.] Routes from Barjeeling to Thibet. 497 



and no permanent habitations onward to Choombi. Yak herdsmen 

 however frequent La Ghep and Yakla in the summer and rains. 



8. Bangrong. — Direction west by north with very little ascent ; cross 

 the Bangrong Choo, a small stream which falls into the Rungbo.* The 

 forest continues to Bangrong and beyond it. The Doom Shing (yew) is 

 abundant and so is the Kema, a large flowering tree which is peculiar to 

 the snowy regions. It is common at Jongri.f " There are seven sorts of 

 Kema distinguished by the colour of the flower." The Kema is neither 

 Rhododendron or Magnolia ; flowers in May and June, is strongly scented. 



9. Yaten. — Direction east by north ; a gradual ascent. The forest 

 ceases before reaching this place, which is bare and rocky. Snow in 

 winter, no inhabitants. The pass of Yakla is close by ; travellers put 

 up in caves at Yaten. J 



10. Charafook. — Ascend about 100 feet to the Yakla passage, which 

 is over a narrow ridge ; cross it and descend all the way in the bed of 

 the Yakla Choo to Charafook. From Yaten to Charafook is not more 

 than 4 cos. Above the Yakla passage on the left is the peak of Gan- 

 gri, not more than 600 feet high. It is not covered with snow during 

 the rains, is visible from Darjeeling, and is a peak of some note, and 

 venerated by the Lepchas ; it is second however in this respect to Kun- 

 chinjinga, but annual sacrifices are made to it, and a festival held in 

 honor of it. To the right of the Yakla passage there is no peak or ele- 

 vation of the ridge. The Yakla Choo falls into the Chola Choo (Tangzoo 

 Nuddi, of printed Itinerary to Phari§) a cos from Gangajong, at which 

 place their united streams fall into the Machoo. The course of the 

 Machoo is east and into Bhootan. Gangajong is 3 or 4 cos to the east 

 of Charafook. 



11. Choombi. — Direction north; a short way from Charafook you 

 leave the Yakla Choo, and at 2 cos you cross the Chola Choo ; — about 

 a cos further on and beyond E-tok you fall into the Chola road from 

 Tumloong. There is forest at Charafook and onwards to Choombi, 

 principally of pines and yews, 



* The Rungbo divides Sikim from Bhootan to the east of the Teesta ; its course 

 to the Teesta is westerly. 



f See route to Digarchi via Kanglachema. 



+ There are two lakes to the east of the road near Yaten. 



§ Journal As. Soc.Jfor April, 1848. 



