272 



BOOTAN. 



pendula and papyracea, Hemiphragma, Composita pendulifolia, 

 Lycopod. of Surureem, Hypericum, Berberis asiatica, Juniperus ; 

 Barley cultivation, and a Pomaceous arbuscula, armat. ovar. o-dis- 

 cretis. The red-legged crow occurs here, and a thrush much 

 resembling our English one. The raven of course occurs. A curious 

 opening occurs in the hills at Taseeling, affording a prospect of 

 the Bag Dooar plains, seven days' journey distant, but the road is 

 bad. 



March 24th.— Leaving Taseeling we commenced to ascend until we 

 rounded a ridge, when we turned to the west, we then commenced to 

 descend, but slightly, winding over undulated surfaces of barrenish 

 hills. After sometime we reached heavy tree jungle, the road pro- 

 ceeding in the same undulating manner, so that it was impossible to 

 say whether we had risen or descended. About one we came on 

 the river, up the ravine of which we had been advancing ever since 

 turning to the west. This stream is of some size, very violent and 

 rapid, but fordable. Near this is a large pagoda, built after the 

 old Boodhistical style, and the only respectable one we have yet 

 seen, its site is pretty, and it is ornamented above with eyes and a 

 fiery-red nose. Leaving this we ascended along one bank of the river, 

 until we reached Chindupjee, our halting place ; this was distant 

 from the pagoda three miles, and from Taseeling twelve. This 

 latter part reminded me of Bhoomlungtung ; firs being the prevail- 

 ing trees, and the valley having more pretensions to the name than 

 usually happens. 



We encamped in a beautiful spot, the house being situated on 

 fine sloping sward, surrounded by picturesque trees of Q. ilecifolia, 

 a few tall Cypressus standing up in the centre. The village is a 

 few feet above, and of average size, although it looks from a little 

 distance to be of considerable size. The march throughout was 

 beautiful, especially after entering the wooded tract; this reminded 

 me of the march near Khegumpa, the woods were here and there 

 very picturesque, glades and swards abounding, water was very 

 abundant here, and this no doubt causes the development of so 

 much vegetation. 



At 7,800 feet, Thibaudiacese very common, Rhododendron two 

 species, Gaultheria flexuosoides, Thibaudia obovata, Caudata myrti- 

 folia, Hydrangea, which I find to be a climber, Rhododendron majus, 

 commencing, pine wood ; chatterers heard here. Hills naked or 

 covered here and there with stunted wood ; marshy places common. 



