152 
THE VEGETATION OP THE ZEMU 
the whole mass had disappeared down the Zemu and a racing 
current of icy water lay between us and our camp. 
There was nothing for it but to trudge again some miles up- 
stream to where, just below the glacier, by a curious accident 
two mighty boulders over 20 feet high had fallen from the hill- 
sides and made a natural bridge with the pent-up Zemu foaming 
below. Scrambling up the wet and slippery face of the first 
boulder we made a hazardous descent by means of a notched pole 
to the flank of the other. These same boulders had proved of 
equal service to Freshfield^s party some years before and are heavy 
enough to withstand the ice and snow of many years to come. 
On the 19th C. crossed the glacier and ascended the Poki Chu 
for some miles. Primula bellidifolia was found near the head of 
the valley. The slopes around the glacier were particularly un- 
productive and further advance west up the glacier did not hold 
out much prospect to the botanist. 
The next day was spent arranging the collections and getting 
ready for departure. On the 21st we descended to the junction of 
the Tumra'chen Chu and on the following day, S. followed up that 
stream while 0. explored the top of Nachegoh. The Tumrachen 
valley is narrow and precipitous up to 13,000 feet and the track 
keeps well away from the steep river banks. Abies Webbiana and 
Juniperus were common. Above that height the valley is open 
affording good pasturage almost up to the La. 
Nachegoh took C. five hours’ stiff climbing, mostly through 
rhododendron scrub. Large areas here and there had been cleared 
in previous years by the shepherds and these yielded herbaceous 
plants, mostly prevalent species. The top was sparingly snowed, 
and scored extensively by landslides and screes. Snow and sleet 
were falling — a foretaste of Llonakh where every month even in. 
summer has its snowstorms. 
Before ascending the Llonakh it was necessary to visit our base 
and secure what we had already obtained. On the 23rd we -marched 
to the site of our first camp near the junction of. the Zemu. and 
Llonakh, daposifed the tents, etc., and proceeded through the 
lower valley to Lachen. There was evidence that much rain had 
fallen while we had been in the comparatively dry upper valley 
The road was worse than ever. In some parts of the track the 
water was above our knees. The bungalow with its comfortable 
fire was a welcome change. 
It may be expedient here to pass in brief review the vegetation 
of the Zemu valley. 
