PANDUA HILLS, NEAR SILHET, IN BENGAL. 507 



observed the first firs disposed in clumps— crossed on stepping stones, 

 passed over several hills, and arrived at Lombray in two hours and a half 

 from Siang. This is about half-way between Moiplong and Nanklow. 

 Left the village of Lombray on the right amidst trees. The country begins 

 to open, and to be better covered with timber, firs especially. This village 

 has also a bad name. Lombray stands at an elevation of 5914 feet. 

 The trees are stunted ; the rock is a red micaceous slate. Passed over 

 moderate hills and an extensive plain, with some scattered cultivation 

 and a hut here and there, and at twelve o'clock reached the village of 

 Mairang — this village is also left on the top of the hill to the right, 

 the road here winding round the bottom of a hill to the left. Proceeded 

 to some shady firs, commanding a view of a beautiful little stream 

 with a small fall, the hillocks clothed with firs rising in picturesque 

 forms around, and behind it. We were now in a granite country, the 

 firs indicating the transition. As we advanced, the firs grew larger, 

 and the country opened into a beautiful undulated park — the scenery is 

 extremely beautiful. Saw several very large upright stones and stone 

 gates. Passed a regular mow of grain in the straw, perfectly English : 

 observed apple, pear, and plum trees, with brambles and black briars, 

 strawberries, &c. ; even daisies are said to carpet the sod ! but unfortunately 

 they were not in blossom. Birch trees also flourish. Large granite 

 boulders stand out at intervals, and crown the tops of the hills. This 

 country, growing more beautiful at every step, continues for seven miles 

 from Lixi hat to Nanklow, which we reached at four p. m. Nanklow is 

 4,550 feet above the level of the sea. 



Saturday, 1st November. — My eyes opened this morning on a beau- 

 tifully clear view of the snow-clad mountains of Thibet, elevating their 

 giant peaks above the Bhotiya range. These latter, about fourteen thou- 

 sand feet high, also shewed peaks covered partially with snow ; but the 

 former, which attain an elevation of twenty-two thousand feet, are clothed 



