1870.] Report on Trans- Himalayan Explorations, Sfc. 49 



Though, there was but little doubt that the position assigned to 

 Pudok was nearly correct, it was hardly satisfactory not to have a 

 trustworthy account of the place, and the 3rd Pundit was ordered 

 to get all information about it, and to take observations, for its 

 latitude and height, and this he succeeded in doing. 



He found that the Fort was built on a low rocky hill, rising 

 about 250 feet above the flat ground at its base, having the Budhist 

 monasteries of Sharjo, Lakhang, Marpo and Nubradan close up 

 to it on the east, south, and west, with about 150 scattered houses 

 along the foot of the hill. 



A stream called the Ghuling-chu passes the Fort, and flowing in 

 a north-easterly direction for 3 or 4 miles, joins the Churkang- 

 chu, another large southern feeder of the great Pangkong lake 

 which is about 9 miles from the Pudok Fort. 



The 3rd Pundit heard that there is a small lake about 2£ miles 

 north of Pudok, which has not hitherto been shown on any map ; 

 it swarms with wild fowl and is celebrated on account of a place 

 called Kalpee Mhai, on its north-eastern shore, where the ground 

 is so intensely hot that it smokes, and readily burns any wood, &c. 

 that may be thrown into it. This place is much resorted to for the 

 purpose of worship. The three monasteries round the Fort contain 

 about 150 monks. 



The 3rd Pundit remained a couple of days at Pudok, and in 

 his assumed character as a Bisahiri, he and his party excited no 

 suspicion though they were summoned before the Jongpon. 



Leaving Pudok on the 22nd of July the party marched back to 

 Pooksum, and then turning eastward by a new road, advanced 

 through the districts of Pawung and Tingche to Dak-korkor, a 

 large standing camp, where an annual fair is held. Several small 

 lakes and a large salt lake called Pawung-Chaka, or Phondok-tso, 

 were passed on the way. These lakes supply salt to Bisahir, 

 Spiti, &c. 



During the last three marches to Dak-korkor no water of any 

 kind was met with, and the party were forced to carry a supply in 

 skins. In this arid part of the county, the soil was of a dazzling 

 white, a peculiarity which extended as far as the Pundit could 

 see. 



7 



