was much greener and clearer than that on the south
face (opposite Palung); and rows of immense icicles
hung from the cliffs. A conferva grew in the waters of
the lake, and short, hard tufts of sedge on the banks,
but no other plants were to be seen. Brahminee
geese, teal, and widgeon, were swimming in the waters,
and a beetle was coursing over the wet banks ; finches
and other small birds were numerous, eating the sedge-
seeds, and picking up the insects. No view could be
obtained to the north, owing to the height of the
- mountains on the north flank of the Lachen.
BEAD AND FEET OF TIBi£T MARMOT.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Ascent of Bhomtso—View of snowy mountains—Chumulari—A run river
—Jigatzi—Lhassa—Dingcham province of Tibet—Misapplication of
term “ Plain of Tibet ”—Sheep, flocks ot—Crops—Probable elevation
of Jigatzi—Yaru-Tsampu river—Tame elephants—Wild horses—
Cholamoo lakes—Effects of great elevation—Ascent of Donkia—
Moving piles of debris—Cross Donkia pass—Second visit to Momay
Samdong Descent to Yeumtong—Lachoong—Retardation of vegetation
Jerked meat—Pish—Lose a thermometer—Lepcha lad sleeps
in hot spring—Eeadom — BucMandia — Arrive at Choongtam —
Mendicant—Meepo—Lachen-Lachoong river—Wild grape—Virulent
nettle.
I n the afternoon we crossed the valley, and, after
fording the river, ascended Bhomtso. Some stupendous
boulders from Kinchinjhow are deposited in a broad
sandy track on the north bank, by ancient glaciers,
which once crossed this valley from Kinchinjhow.
The ascent was alternately over steep rocky slopes,
and broad shelf-like flats; many more plants grew here
than I had expected, in inconspicuous scattered tufts.
Bhomtso is 18,590 feet above the sea : it presented
an infinitely more extensive prospect than I had
ventured to anticipate, commanding all the most
important Sikkim, North Bhotan, and Tibetan mountains,
including Kinchinjunga and Chumulari. Due
south, across the sandy valley of the Lachen, Kinchini
2