eaten, and the seeds of one are made into a fermented
drink, and into bread in times of scarcity; but it would
take many pages to describe the numerous purposes to
which the various species are put.
Some low steep spurs were well cultivated, though
the angle of the field was upwards of 25°; the crops,
chiefly maize, were just sprouting. The flowers of this
plant are occasionally hermaphrodite in Sikkim, where
they form a large drooping panicle and ripen small
grains; this is, however, a rare occurrence, and the
specimens are highly valued by the people.
The general prevalence of figs, and their allies, the
nettles,* is a remarkable feature in the botany of the
Sikkim Himalaya, up to nearly 10,000 feet. Of the
former there were here five species, some bearing
eatable and very palatable fruit of enormous size,
others with the fruit small, and borne on prostrate,
leafless branches, which spring from the root and creep
along the ground.
A troublesome, dipterous insect (the “ Peepsa,” a
species of Simulium) swarms on the banks of the
streams; it is very small and black, floating like a
speck before the eye; its bite leaves a spot of extra -
vasated blood under the cuticle, very irritating if not
opened.
Crossing the Little Rungeet river, we camped at the
* Of two of these cloth is made, and of a third, cordage. The tops of
two are eaten, as are several species of Procris. To this order belongs
the “ Poa,” from the fibre of which is made that kind of grass-cloth now
abundantly imported into England from the Malay Islands, and used
extensively for shirting.
base of Tonglo. The night was calm and clear, with
faint cirrus, but no dew; and the following morning was
bright, and clear over head, though the clouds over the
mountains looked threatening. Dorjiling, perched on
a ridge 5000 feet above us, had a singular appearance.,
We ascended the Simonbong spur of Tonglo, so called,
from a small village and Lama temple of that name on
its summit; where we arrived at noon, and passing
some chaits * gained the Lama’s residence.
Two species of bamboo, the “ Payong ” and “ Praong
of the Lepchas, here replace the Pao of the lower
regions. The former was flowering abundantly, the
whole of the culms (which were 20 feet high) being a.
diffuse panicle of inflorescence. The “ Praong bears a:
round head of flowers at the ends of the leafy branches»
Wild strawberry, violet, geranium, &c., marked our
approach to the temperate zone. Around the temple/
were potato crops and peach-trees, rice, millet, yam,,
brinjal (egg-apple), fennel, hemp (for smoking its
narcotic leaves), and cummin, &c. The potato thrives;
extremely well as a summer crop, at 7000 feet, in
Sikkim, though I think the root (from the Dorjiling;
stock) cultivated as a winter crop in the plains, is
superior both in size and flavour. Peaches never ripen
in this part of Sikkim, apparently from the want of
sun; the tree grows well at from 3000 to 7000 feet,
* The chait of Sikkim, borrowed from Tibet, is a square pedestal, surmounted
by a hemisphere, the convex end downwards, and on it is placed
a cone, with a crescent on the top. These are erected as monuments to
Lamas, and illustrious persons, and are venerated accordingly, the people
always passing them from left to right, often repeating the invocation,
“ Om Mani Padmi om.”