i8 
REPORT ON A BOTANICAL TOUR IN SIKKIM, 1892. 
Rosa sericea is tbe commonest shrub in the pine forest and Salix 
Wallichiana and Pyrus microphylla are abundant. Between the 
summit of the first ridge and the glacier, the path runs along the 
side of the stream, the rest of the area is too encumbered with 
boulders to be walked on with safety. Above 13,000 feet the 
forest of silver fir is replaced by impenetrable Rhododendrons, and a 
few stunted trees of black Juniper. There is little variety in the 
herbaceous vegetation, the biting air radiating from the glacier being 
too chilly to suit even cold-loving plants. Podophyllum Emodi 
yielding red fruits^eaten by the Tibetans, Swertia H&okerif Rheum 
acuminatum and Cnicus eriophoroides were conspicuous by their 
abundance and size. 
The weather at Yeumtong was also uniformly wet and miserable, 
so 1 started for Lachung on the 20th August. Arriving the same day 
I stayed to. dry my collections and to make arrangements for an 
excursion through the Sebu Valley to Ghora La, a part as yet 
unvisited by any naturalist to my knowledge. 
In his Himalyan Journals Sir J. D. Hooker notes “about five 
miles above Lachung the valley forks, the eastern valley leads to lofty 
snowed regions, and is said to be impracticable. “ A lofty precipice 
at the immediate entrance to this valley, and on its northern flank, 
attracted my attention. On enquiry, I discovered that one of my 
men had ascended to Ghora La, the first pass from the northern 
end of the longitudinal range which extends from Donkia to 
Gipmoochi, and forms the eastern boundary of Sikkim. From a 
distance the forbidding aspect of this valley would naturally lead one 
to conclude that to explore it would be a matter of great difficulty 
and danger. It is almost useless to interrogate the Tibetans as to 
the feasibility or otherwise of ascending any comparatively unfre- 
quented valley, as their jealous exclusiveness prompts them to 
overrate natural difficulties in the hope of detening Europeans and 
other strangers from exploring the various practicable routes to 
Tibet. The path to Ghora La runs up the valley of the Sebu river, 
a large and turbulent stream. 1 was informed that this valley is 
held in considerable veneration by the Tibetans on account of the 
lofty and unique precipice guarding its entrance, for the sacred 
mountain of Donkia at ts head, and also for the sacred inscriptions 
which were carved on the face of a cliff half way up the ascent to 
Ghora La; but this last feature is now completely obliterated, as 
the whole face of the rock has fallen down. At the summit of the 
pass, and visible from a considerable distance, is an irregular pillar- 
like rock, which I was told is the figure of a god, but its real 
character was apparent on closer inspection. 
