1853.] Notes upon a Tour in tlie Sikkini Himalayah Mountains. 625 



is a yak herd's summer-post, consisting of several stone houses at 

 a probable elevation of 14,000 feet, and is the highest spot in this 

 region where yaks are grazed during the summer months. From 

 Darjeeling I was enabled during some very clear weather in Octo- 

 ber and by the aid of a glass, to fix the true position of Jongri. In 

 Dr. Hooker's Map, Yangpoong is called Jongri. Perhaps the mean- 

 ing of the name Jongri applies to both places, in which case Dr. 

 Hooker's Map would merely represent an omission of the site Jongri 

 and not a mistake. Prom these glaciers flow many streams, the united 

 water of which forms the Eatong, a feeder of the great Eungeet. 

 The eastern face of the Gubroo range is a handsome object in the 

 view from Darjeeling, from whence it is seen as a bare, rocky, preci- 

 pitous mountain. About 10 a. m. we reached a spot upon the 

 almost bare rocks where there stands a yak herd's stone house com- 

 posed of large slabs of gneiss rocks, some of the slabs being five feet 

 in length. The house which is in a rather dilapidated condition, was 

 supported by wooden posts, and was surrounded by a low stone 

 wall ; — we halted for breakfast ; — in amongst the rocks, I noticed 

 rhododendrons, blind nettles, rue, primrose, chrysanthemum, rose? 

 dwarf rhododendron, fennel, geranium, polygona, dock and potentilla. 

 This stone-] louse is a resting-place for the herdsmen and cattle when 

 on their way from the valleys of Sikkim to Singaleelah. 



"We now commenced a rapid descent, and at 11.20 a. m. we reach- 

 ed Yangpoong, several hundred feet removed from the crest of the 

 G-ubroo range or upon the western slope of the mountain on a level 

 with the fir forest or about 12,000 feet. Yangpoong consists of two 

 large stone-houses covered with shingle, and a ruined house, this 

 latter probably a kraal for enclosing cattle, an extensive mendong, 

 covered with carved slabs and two tall flagstaves, bearing cloth flags 

 covered with printed prayers. The inhabitants had gone to the north 

 or to Jongri, so we examined their houses whose doors were merely 

 tied up with a piece of string. We found the houses large, com- 

 modious and well filled with the usual Bhotia furniture, amongst 

 which were some fine drums, trumpets and brass vessels. Though 

 my Lepchas and Bhotias wandered about the houses examining 

 and making fun of everything they could lay their hands upon, 

 nothing was taken away, but my guide begged of me to take a large 



