

1853.] Notes upon a Tour in the Sikkini Hinialayah Mountains. 541 



the statement. Being anxious to settle the question I determined 

 to travel as far North toward the foot of the snowy range as possi- 

 ble, and thus by diminishing the distance between myself and the 

 exposed flanks of the mountain to obtain a clearer and nearer view 

 of its lithological formation. 



Being quite aware from the peculiar shape of the mountain and of 

 its neighbouring peaks, that bj advancing towards the snows by the 

 valleys leading up towards Kunchinjinga, I should speedily lose 

 sight of the mountain altogether, I determined to advance along the 

 crest of the great meridianal spur Singaleela, which, from Darjeeling, 

 appears to be connected directly with Kunchinjinga. Dr. Hooker's 

 map of Sikkim also leads one to suppose that such is the fact, such 

 however, is not the case as will be shewn hereafter. 



2nd August, 1852. Having waited patiently for nearly three 

 months since the earthquake exposed the flank of Kunchinjinga in 

 order to allow the snow to reach its highest summer limit, I started 

 this morning at 8.30 a. m. accompanied by Mr. Eobert Smart, my 

 second assistant in the Survey. Having just completed the Survey 

 of the British Hill Territory, and having had several very fatiguing 

 trips in the hills we were both in good walking trim, and had by our 

 former experience learnt to travel lightly. 



As we left the station of Darjeeling* the sun was shining most 

 brilliantly, illuminating the snowy range to a silvery whiteness. 

 As we turned the shoulder of Birch Hill, the most northerly point 

 of the station, a splendid Panorama of all the country to the west 

 and north of Darjeeling lay before us, a scene perhaps unequalled in 

 beauty in the whole world. To the west the Singaleela range with 

 its numerous peaks of 12,000 feet in height, its thousand buttresses 

 composed of swelling mountains clothed with fir and rhododendron 

 forests, shut out our view. To the north and in the centre of the 

 Panorama stands Kunchinjinga, 28,177 feet in height, flanked on 

 either side by numerous peaks scarcely inferior in height. To the 

 east, the snowy range trending away to the south, and which is 

 adorned with many fine bold and imposing peaks, forms the limit to 

 the view. The lower unsnowed but forest-clad mountains Powhunry, 

 Tendong, Pemionchi, Hee, Chakoong, Kirmee, and a hundred others 

 i. e. Dorje the sceptre of the priesthood, " ling,," a place, '■' The holy spot." 



