ABORS AND GALONGS. 113 



in a civilized and ornate form. The monasteries far removed from the (presumably) 

 restraining influence of the higher ecclesiastical authorities blandly and openly 

 practise the abuses laid to the charge of the English monasteries in the time of 

 Henry VIII. Dopo tells me that the monasteries draw from the villages the money, 

 food, and clothing that enrich their altars and support and clothe themselves. The 

 Marpung Abbot collects cloth, grain, etc., from the district in the "Pus" month, and 

 afterwards distributes, what is required, to the monks. It was also gathered that 

 the monasteries run the caravans and so obtain the middleman's profits in selling to 

 the country-side. 



When anyone dies the relatives give either money, or ornaments, to the mon- 

 aster}'. This money is saved up and finally expended on the shrine. Sometimes the 

 family of some one who has died give money or valuables to build a prayer-barrel 

 house over a stream. The people of the village build the walls and roof and put in 

 the timber work and frames, the monastery prints and supplies the prayers and fits 

 the drums into the buildings— which are known as phais. It was noticeable that in 

 the best buildings the same facet-like effect is obtained in wood over the doors of the 

 temples as is produced in the stone porches of western cathedrals. 



The party returned from Yortong in 22 marches to Yembung (the headquarters 

 of the expedition of 1911-12), and in another three to Pasighat at the foot of the hills. 

 Unavoidable delays prolonged the journey from the 9th of July to the 9th of August. 

 The route taken when going up the valley was followed on the return journey. After 

 the visit to Marpung monastery I have, therefore, nothing of interest to record. 



While it is hoped that this diary recording my own very limited experiences may 

 be of interest to the Asiatic Society, it is a matter of universal congratulation that 

 Captain Morshead of the Survey of India and Captain F. M. Bailey of the Political 

 Department, carried the work of exploration up the left bank, crossing from the 

 Dibang basin and reaching the Tsanpo at Kapu. From there they went north, 

 j oined up with the work done by Captains Trenchard and Pemberton (who crossed the 

 Doshung La and reached the Tsanpo between Phea Doshung and Gyala Sindang) and 

 then pushed on through Gyala to beyond Pemakochung. 



