TIBET, 
297 
The rock of Teshoo Loomboo is by far the loftiest of all that are in 
its neighbourhood. In the coldest season of the year, the monastery, 
which is situated near its base, is skreened by it, from the violence of 
the north-west winds ; though at the same time, as the sun has southern 
declination, it enjoys all the benefit of its genial warmth. Upon this 
rock, at least on those parts of it which have the most favourable 
aspect, I found the scanty remains of some weakly vegetation, and a 
little low brushwood, sufficient to tempt a few vagrant deer, which I 
occasionally saw bounding about its summit. 
I took an opportunity to ascend the rock, but my expectations were 
by no means realized by the view I had from it. Bare narrow valleys, 
naked hills, and a biting frosty air, impressed my senses with a picture 
inhospitable, bleak, and sterile in the extreme. At another season the 
impression might probably have been different. At the period which 
I describe, the whole face of nature in Tibet, had decidedly assumed the 
character and habit of deep winter: the trees were bare of foliage, and 
the tops of the loftiest hills, clothed with snow. 
From the summit of this rock, the eye commands a very extensive 
prospect, as it towers high above all the other eminences, in its vicinity. 
Yet no striking traces of population can be distinguished, though, I 
am informed that there are considerable settlements, and that the 
inhabitants crowd into hollow recesses, and place themselves upon the 
sides of hills, in situations, attractive from the shelter they afford, as 
well as from their advantageous aspect. 
From hence, I had the satisfaction to observe, on the northern side, 
at the base of the rock on which I stood, that celebrated river, 
