296 
TIBET. 
my apartment, I could see, in front, the road that leads to Bootan 
and Bengal: on my right, the roads to Luddauk and Cashmeer; to the 
mines oflead, copper, cinnabar, and gold ; and also by Tingri Meidan 
to Nipal : on my left, are the roads toJLassa and China : on the north 
is situated the territory ofTaranaut Lama, bordering upon Russia, 
and Siberia, and whose influence more especially extends over the 
Kilmauks, or hordes of Calmuc Tartars. 
The abruptness with which the hills rise from this plain is very re¬ 
markable ; they are all of a rocky texture, of the colour of rusty iron, 
and are easily shivered by the effects of the weather, into little cubical 
pieces, small enough to be moved about by strong winds, which con¬ 
sequently spread them abroad, and soon produce a level at their bases. 
Their summits have the appearance of being scarped, or surrounded 
by a perpendicular parapet. No vegetation seems at this season, to 
contribute to clothe them. 
Their singular conformation gives rise to an inconvenience, which, 
during the dry months of the year, from October to May, or the 
greatest part of that time, must prove an extreme annoyance to the neigh¬ 
bouring inhabitants. These are vortexes of wind, that are incessantly 
elevating large columns of dust from the surface of the ground, in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the plain, which circling in lofty spires, till they attain 
the altitude of the hills, then seem to dissipate, and disperse themselves 
in the air. Notlnng else obscures the extreme purity of the atmosphere; 
from the dawn of light till darkness, not a vapour intercepts the sight, 
to the most distant edge of the horizon. It is a clearness bordering 
upon brilliancy, which dazzles and fatigues the eye. 
