572 A Journey through Sikim. [No. 7. 



when hot has rather a tempting flavour ; but it is bitter to the taste ; 

 it is greenish coloured and spongy. Peaches grow, but do not ripen ; 

 they are pulled now and partially dried. 



The people of this valley live principally on the milk, curd and 

 flesh of their herds of yaks and a few cows which they graze up and 

 down it according to the season, as in the Lachen valley already notic- 

 ed, and by a small trade with Thibet. There are about 1,000 yaks 

 among them. All the trade with the north is in planks, beams, rattans, 

 bamboos, butter, endicloth, munjeet, rice and some dye-stuffs. They 

 bring down salt, tea, blankets, some skins, and yaks occasionally. Yaks 

 range in Thibet from 8 to 12 a head. 



The yaks calve once in two years. They go nine months with young. 

 The Raja of Sikim has 100 in this valley, about the same number in 

 Lachen, 150 in Shanok — a valley west of the Lachen, some in the Ryote 

 valley leading to the Chola Pass, and in the Rungbo valley, which leads 

 to the Yakla Pass. At Jongri also — north west of Darjeeling — he has 

 a herd. 



They are quartered on the inhabitants, who tend them and manage 

 the dairy, receiving a small allowance per annum for the labour. 



The office of Phipun has been hereditary here for seven generations. 

 The family is of Thibetan origin. No money-revenue is paid to the Raja 

 of Sikim. The payments are in kind only, comprising, ponies, yaks, 

 blankets and salt, in quantities and proportions I could not determine, 

 nor are they fixed, I believe, by any specific agreement ; added to this 

 they furnish porters for the use of the Raja without hire, whenever 

 they are called upon. From this valley, as from Lachen, the annual 

 contributions in the shape of revenue are delivered at Chongtam, and 

 are taken thence to the Durbar from village to village by the unpaid 

 people. "When the Raja is at Choombi and that place is their desti- 

 nation, the people of both valleys take them to Geree in Thibet. The 

 people of Dobta, a small tract in Thibet held by the Sikim Raja, come 

 to Geree in two journeys, and carry them thence to Choombi in six 

 journeys. 



From Lachoong to Geree is four journeys for loaded men, viz. 

 Yeumtang, Momay Samdong, Cholamoo crossing the Donkiah Pass, 

 Geree. From Geree to Choombi 5 or 6 ditto, viz. 



1. Nachomo. 



2. Linki. 



