BOOTAN, 
399 
atmosphere; the surrounding hills were covered with snow in the 
morning, which had fallen the preceding night, but disappeared soon 
after sunrise. The thermometer fell to 54° in the afternoon, and did 
not rise above 62° at noon. 
The face of the mountains, in some places bare, with projecting 
rock of so many different forms; quartz, flint, and a bad sort of free 
stone, common. Many very good springs, slightly impregnated with 
a selenitic earth. 
The soil is rich, and near to the river in great cultivation. Many 
horses, the staple article of their trade, are bred in this part of the 
country. Found walnut trees, peaches, apples, and pears. 
September 12. The road still ascending to Sanha p , and near to the 
river for ten miles. 
The thermometer falling some degrees, we found it cold and chilly. 
The bed of the river was full of large stones, probably washed down 
from the mountains by the rapidity of its stream; they were chiefly 
quartz and granite. Here was excellent pasture for numerous herds 
of goats. 
Hoad to Chichakumboo. From Sanha, the ascent is much greater; 
and after keeping for ten miles along the banks of the Pachu, still a 
considerable stream, we reached its source (from three distinct rivu¬ 
lets, all in view, ramified and supplied by numerous springs), and soon 
after arrived at the most elevated part of our road. 
Here we quitted the boundary of Boutan, and entered the territory 
of Thibet, where nature has drawn the line still more strongly, and 
p Sana. 
