An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

392 BOOTAN.rapid change in climate, the vegetable productions, and general appearanceof the country. Towards Punukha, pines and firs are theonly trees to be met with; but they do not yet seem in their properclimate, being dwarfish and ill shaped ;peaches, raspberries, and strawberries,thriving every where ; scarce a plant to be seen that is not ofEuropean growth.In addition to the many I have already mentioned,saw two species of the Crataegus, one not yet described.Saw two ashtrees in a very thriving state, the star-thistle, and many other weeds,in general natives of the Alps and Switzerland.Much of the rock to-day was, I found on examination, pure limestone; a valuable acquisition if they did not either despise its use, orwere unacquainted with its properties. It was most advantageouslysituated for being worked, and the purest perhaps to be met with.There is likewise abundance of fire-wood in this part of the country.In building they would derive great benefit from the use of it. Theirhouses are lofty, the timbers substantial, and nothing wanting to makethem durable, but their being acquainted with the use of lime.As amanure it might probably be used to great advantage. Many fieldsof barley in this part of the country ;now the beginning of their harvest.The thermometer here fell, at four o'clock in the afternoon, to60°, cold and chilly.May 21. On the road to Cheptas, the rock in general dips to thenorthward and eastward, in about an angle of sixty degrees. Muchof limestone, and some veins of quartz, and loose pieces of sparry flintstriking fire with steel.5 Chupka or Kepta.