TIBET. 
357 
them, indeed, lived to land in England, yet they were in so weak a 
state, that they very shortly after perished. 
We passed the summit of Soomoonang, that lofty range of moun¬ 
tains which forms the boundary of Tibet on the south, and divides it 
from Bootan, and hastened with our utmost speed to reach a milder 
region. - 
This we found at Punukka, the winter residence of the Daeb Raja, 
who- received us with every mark of hospitality and friendship. Com¬ 
pared with the land we had left, we now beheld this garden of Lam’ 
Rimbochay in high beauty, adorned with groves, crowded with rich 
loads of the finest oranges, citrons, and pomegranates. The mango and 
the peach tree had parted with their produce, but hoards of apples and 
of walnuts were opened for our gratification; and this vast profusion 
of ripe fruit, added to the temperature of the air, most gratefully con¬ 
vinced us of the prodigious disparity of climate, within so short a 
distance. 
My stay with the Daeb Raja, at his favourite palace of Punukka, 
was not of long duration. I hastened to make all the arrangements that 
appeared necessary, or expedient, with regard to the object of my 
mission. The Raja gave me frequent opportunities of meeting him, as 
well within doors, as by invitation to walk with him in the gardens. 
Indeed I was treated by him with the greatest freedom and cordiality. 
He urged me strongly to pass a long time with him, extolling the 
beauty of the place, and the mild temperature of the weather; but I 
was obliged to decline the honour. 
On the 30th of December I had my audience of leave, and received, 
