synonyme of the camelus pacos. See Camelus, Mammalia Index.

sovereign pontiff, or rather god, of the Asiatic Tartars, inhabiting the country of Barantola. The lama is not only adored by the inhabitants of the country, but also by the kings of Tartary, who send him rich presents, and go in pilgrimage to pay him adoration, calling him *lama congu*, i.e. "god, the everlasting father of heaven." He is never to be seen but in a secret place of his palace, amidst a great number of lamps, fitting crofs-legged upon a cushion, and adorned all over with gold and precious stones; where at a distance they prostrate themselves before him, it not being lawful for any to kifs even his feet. He is called the *great lama*, or *lama of lamas*; that is, "priest of priests." The orthodox opinion is, that when the grand lama seems to die either of old age or infirmity, his soul in fact only quits a crazy habitation to look for another younger or better; and it is discovered again in the body of some child, by certain tokens known only to the lamas or priests, in which order he always appears.

The following account of the ceremonies attending the inauguration of the infant lama in Thibet is extracted from the first volume of the Asiatic Researches.

The emperor of China appears on this occasion to have assumed a very conspicuous part in giving testimony of his respect and zeal for the great religious father of his faith. Early in the year 1784, he despatched ambassadors from the court of Pekin to Teefho Loomboo, to represent their sovereign in supporting the dignity of the high priest, and do honour to the occasion of the assumption of his office. Dalai Lama and the viceroy of Laifa, accompanied by all the court, one of the Chinese generals stationed at Laifa with a part of the troops under his command, two of the four magistrates of the city, the heads of every monastery throughout Thibet, and the emperor's ambassadors, appeared at Teefho Loomboo, to celebrate this epocha in their theological institutions. The 28th day of the seventh moon, corresponding nearly, as their year commences with the vernal equinox, to the middle of October 1784, was chosen as the most auspicious for the ceremony of inauguration: a few days previous to which the lama was conducted from Terpaling, the monastery in which he had passed his infancy, with every mark of pomp and homage that could be paid by an enthusiastic people. So great a concourse as assembled either from curiosity or devotion was never seen before, for not a person of any condition in Thibet was absent who could join the suite. The procession was hence necessarily constrained to move so slow, that though Terpaling is situated at the distance of 20 miles only from Teefho Loomboo, three days expired in the performance of this short march. The first halt was made at Tondue; the second at Summaar, about six miles off, whence the most splendid parade was reserved for the lama's entry on the third day, the account of which is given by a person who was present in the procession. The road, he says, was previously prepared by being whitened with a wash, and having piles of stones heaped up with small intervals between on either side. The retinue passed between a double row of priests, who formed a street extending all the way from Summaar to the gates of the palace. Some of the priests held lighted rods of a perfumed composition that burn like decayed wood, and emit an aromatic smoke; the rest were furnished with the different musical instruments they use at their devotions, such as the gong, the cymbal, hautboy, trumpets, drums, and sea shells, which were all sounded in unison with the hymn they chanted. The crowd of spectators was kept without the street, and none admitted on the high road but such as properly belonged to or had a prescribed place in the procession, which was arranged in the following order.

The van was led by three military commandants or governors of districts at the head of 6000 or 7000 horsemen armed with quivers, bows, and matchlocks. In their rear followed the ambassador with his suite, carrying his diploma, as is the custom of China, made up in the form of a large tube, and fastened on his back. Next the Chinese general advanced with the troops under his command, mounted, and accoutred after their way with fire arms and sabres, then came a very numerous group bearing the various standards and insignia of state; next to them moved a full band of wind and other sonorous instruments: after which were led two horses richly caparisoned, each carrying two large circular floves dispofed like panniers across the horse's back and filled with burning aromatic woods. These were followed by a senior priest, called a *lama*, who bore a box containing books of their form of prayer and some favourite idols. Next nine sumpter horses were led loaded with the lama's apparel; after which came the priests immediately attached to the lama's person for the performance of daily offices in the temple, amounting to about 700; following them were two men each carrying on his shoulder a large cylindrical gold infigrium embossed with emblematical figures (a gift from the emperor of China). The Du-hunniers and Soopoons, who were employed in communicating addresses and distributing alms, immediately preceded the lama's bier, which was covered with a gaudy canopy, and borne by eight of the 16 Chinese appointed for this service. On one side of the bier attended the regent, on the other the lama's father. It was followed by the heads of the different monasteries, and as the procession advanced, the priests who formed the street fell into the rear and brought up the suite, which moved at an extremely slow pace, and about noon was received within the confines of the monastery, amidst an amazing display of colours, the acclamations of the crowd, solemn music, and the chanting of their priests.

The lama being safely lodged in the palace, the regent and Soopoon Choomboo went out, as is a customary compliment paid to visitors of high rank on their near approach, to meet and conduct Dalai Lama and the viceroy of Laifa who were on the way to Teefho Loomboo. Their retinue encountered the following morning at the foot of Painom cattle, and the next day together entered the monastery of Teefho Loomboo, in which both Dalai Lama and the viceroy were accommodated during their stay.

The following morning, which was the third after Teefho Lama's arrival, he was carried to the great temple, and about noon seated upon the throne of his progenitors; at which time the emperor's ambassador delivered his diploma, and placed the presents with which he had been charged at the lama's feet.

The three next ensuing days, Dalai Lama met Teefho Lama in the temple, where they were assisted by all the priests in the invocation and public worship of their gods. The rites then performed completed, as we understand, the business of inauguration. During this interval all who were at the capital were entertained at the public expense, and alms were distributed without reserve. In conformity likewise to previous notice circulated everywhere for the same space of time, universal rejoicings prevailed throughout Thibet. Banners were unfurled on all their fortresses, the peasantry filled up the day with music and festivity, and the night was celebrated by general illuminations. A long period was afterwards employed in making presents and public entertainments to the newly inducted lama, who at the time of his accession to the musnud, or, if we may use the term, pontificate of Teefhoo Loomboo, was not three years of age. The ceremony was begun by Dalai Lama, whose offerings are said to have amounted to a greater value, and his public entertainments to have been more splendid than the rest. The second day was dedicated to the viceroy of Laffa. The third to the Chinese general. Then followed the culloong or magistrates of Laffa, and the rest of the principal persons who had accompanied Dalai Lama. After which the regent of Teefhoo Loomboo, and all that were dependent on that government, were generally admitted, according to pre-eminence of rank, to pay their tributes of obedience and respect. As soon as the acknowledgements of all those were received who were admissible to the privilege, Teefhoo Lama made in the same order suitable returns to each, and the confirmation lasted 40 days.

Many importunities were used with Dalai Lama to prolong his stay at Teefhoo Loomboo; but he excused himself from encumbering the capital any longer with so numerous a concourse of people as attended on his movements, and deeming it expedient to make his absence as short as possible from the seat of his authority, at the expiration of 40 days he withdrew with all his suite to Laffa, and the emperor's ambassador received his dismission to return to China, and thus terminated this famous festival.