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 produced.
It has been used as a medicine in Europe, and is known to
possess' these qualities in a high degree. Saw holly, dog rose, and
aspin. The present crop; near Paraghon, on the banks of the Pachu",
is rice, but hot so for 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 reck
of a curious appearance, forming in front, six or seven angular semipillars,
o f a great circumference, and some hundred feet high. This
natural curiosity, was detached in part from the mountain, and projected
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, gusliing 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 Dukaiguh", nearly due north, was a continued
ascent for eight miles, along the banks of the Pachu, falling
over numerous rock#, precipices, and huge stones. Here we began to
experience a very considerable change in the temperature of the
* Patchieu. • Dukka-jeung.
atmosphere;. the surrounding hillsj yyefieju coyersd with snow in the
morning, which had; fallen the preceding night , but disappeared soon
after sunrise. The thermometer felh.tp 5,4” in the aftemopn,,and did
not rise above 63" at,noQnvj ..
; The face^ of the-mountains, in< some places, bare;, with projecting
rockvofisa; many different forms..;. qnaiFtg;. flip#, and a bad sort o f, free
stone, common. Many very good springs, slightly impregnated.with
a: selenitieiearth.-
The soil is rich, and near to the river in; great cultivation, ;.Many,
horses, the staple article of their trade, areihre^., in this part, of the
country»;, Found walnut trees, peaches, applps, ;^d1pears..i jj|
September 13. The road-still ascending to Sanha?, and near to. th©
river for -ten miles.
The thermometer falling some degrees, we found it cold andqhilly.
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.
Road to Chichakumboo. From Sanha, the ascent-.isrmuch greater;
and after keeping for ten miles along the banks of the Pachu, still a
considerable stream, we reached its source (from three, distinct^ri^ur
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 Thibety where nature has drawn the'line still more strongly, and
r Sank.