1852.] A Journey through Sikim. 415 



from the musquitoes and peepsas. This is a trying and fatiguing march 

 at this season. The heat in the valley of the Teesta is quite over- 

 powering and I never before experienced so much inconvenience from 

 it. My head all day felt full to bursting, and my face and eyes were 

 burning : but the skin was open at every pore, and I could walk along 

 briskly. The Lepchas, who carried my empty chair, felt it even more 

 than I did ; they were quite exhausted, and rolled about as they walk- 

 ed along panting for breath. The tropical character of the route, as 

 we approached Bamsang, was very striking. All the vegetation luxuri- 

 ant, and every plant gigantic. The hum of insects was so loud as to 

 rival the roaring of the river ; both united were quite deafening. 



The insect and vegetable kingdoms alone possess this region. Nei- 

 ther bird nor beast was to be seen. Thermometer at the Bansong 

 ghat in a house at 1 p. m. 87°, a fine breeze blowing ; but this does 

 not relieve the feeling of oppressive and choaking heat, which I have 

 experienced in the vallies since I started. 



There are many beautiful plants in flower just now between Neh 

 and Bansong, which I never saw before. I found a " Sweet Pea," 

 a climber, colour pale Rose, and two other Peas, one purple, a shrub, 

 the size of the Spanish broom, the other blue, a small shrub with 

 broad rounded leaves, also a lilac, terrestrial orchis 10 feet high called 

 " Broong," a white one, and a blue one, each 6 feet high. There is 

 also a handsome fig tree, with clusters of yellow fruit like Loquats, 

 called " Suntote ;" it is not edible however. 



I heard from the Raja to-day in reply to my announced intention, of 

 proceeding to his Northern frontier at Kongra Lama. He authorises 

 Aden Cheeboo Lama to accompany me as I desired, and sends orders 

 to his officers to clear the roads, and otherwise to assist me. The 

 officers along the line I have come, paid no attention to the Cheeboo's 

 previous requisition. The following is the administrative division of 

 the country between Darjeeling and the Thibet frontier at Kongra 

 Lama and Doukia. 



1st. From the Rungeet to the Teesta, by the line of Atooknot and 

 Temi, the country is under the Kaji who lives at Burmeok, the Meboo 

 at Namgialachi and the Mahapun Kada, who resides near Temi. 



2nd. From Temi to Neh is under the Lassoo Kaji, who resides 

 above Namfok. 



3 g 2 



