398 
BOOTAN. 
Datura ferox, or thorn apple, a plant common in China, and some 
parts of Thibet, where it is used medicinally. They find it a powerful 
narcotic, and give the seeds, where they wish that effect to be pro¬ 
duced. It has been used as a medicine in Europe, and is known to 
possess these qualities in 3 high degree. Saw holly, dog rose, and 
aspin. The present crop, near Paraghon, on the banks of the Pachu", 
is rice,, but not so far advanced as at Tassesudon: the same may be 
said of their fruits. They say it is colder here, at all seasons, than at 
Tassesudon, which is certainly below the level of this place. 
Towards the summit of the mountain we crossed, found some rock 
of a curious appearance, forming in front, six or seven angular semi¬ 
pillars, of a great circumference, and some hundred feet high. This 
natural curiosity, was detached in part from the mountain, and pro¬ 
jected over a considerable fall of water, which added much to the 
beautiful and picturesque appearance of the whole. Numerous springs, 
some degrees colder than the surrounding atmosphere, gushing from 
the rock in the most elevated part of the mountain, furnish a very 
ample and seasonable supply of excellent water to the traveller. The 
rock, in many places, laminated, might be formed into very tolerable 
slate. Near to Paraghon iron stones are found, and one spring highly 
impregnated with this mineral. 
September 11 . Our road to Dukaigun 0 , nearly due north, was a con¬ 
tinued ascent for eight miles, along the banks of the Pachu, falling 
over numerous rocks, precipices, and huge stones. Here we began to 
experience a very considerable change in the temperature of the 
n PatchieUe 
® Dukka-jeung. 
