The ice on the cliffs and summit of Kinchinjhow 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 (_Elaphrus_) was coursing over the wet banks; finches and other small birds were numerous, eating the sedge-seeds, and picking up the insects. No view was obtained to the north, owing to the height of the mountains on the north flank of the Lachen. At noon the temperature rose to 52.5 degrees, and the black-bulb to 104.5 degrees; whilst the north-west dusty wind was so dry, that the dew-point fell to 24.2 degrees. CHAPTER XXIV. Ascent of Bhomtso -- View of snowy mountains -- Chumulari -- Arun river -- Kiang-lah mountains -- Jigatzi -- Lhama -- Dingcham province of Tibet -- Misapplication of term "Plain of Tibet" -- Sheep, flocks of -- Crops -- Probable elevation of Jigatzi -- Yarn -- Tsampu river -- Tame elephants -- Wild horses -- Dryness of air -- Sunset beams -- Rocks of Kinchinjhow -- Cholamoo lakes -- Limestone -- Dip and strike of rocks -- Effects of great elevation on party -- Ascent of Donkia -- Moving piles of debris -- Cross Donkia pass -- Second Visit to Momay Samdong -- Hot springs -- Descent to Yeumtong -- Lachoong -- Retardation of vegetation again noticed -- Jerked meat -- Fish -- Lose a thermometer -- Lepcha lad sleeps in hot spring -- Keadom -- _Bucklandia_ -- Arrive at Choongtam -- Mendicant -- Meepo -- Lachen-Lachoong river -- Wild grape -- View from Singtam of Kinchinjunga -- Virulent nettle. In the afternoon we crossed the valley, and ascended Bhomtso, fording the river, whose temperature was 48 degrees. Some stupendous boulders of gneiss from Kinchinjhow are deposited in a broad sandy track on the north bank, by ancient glaciers, which once crossed this valley from Kinchinjhow.