119 
EXTRACT OF A LETTER, RELATIVE TO THE 
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS AROUND LA- 
HOOGHAT IN KUMOAN. From A. K. Linpsay, 
Eso. M.D. or tHe How. THE E. I. C. Servicer, ro G. A. 
W. Arnott, Eso. or ARLARY. 
[Dated Lahooghat, 23d January, 1831.) 
* I rear that you will find my written account of the botany 
of these regions as imperfect in its way as is the box of speci- 
mens which I have prepared for you. Yet I have an idea 
that a distinguished botanist like yourself may glean some- 
thing, even from such a poor description as the following must 
be: without further preface, therefore, I shall commence, 
only I beg of you not to look for arrangement. As I cast an 
eye round the hills, a tree or a plant may be suggested to my 
mind, and down shall go what I have to say about it, with- 
out reference either to Linnzeus or Jussieu. 
*'Thisstation is situated in 29°24’ N. lat. and 79° 57’ E. long. 
It is about 5700 feet above the sea, with moderately high ranges 
of hills on all sides, and is as of irregular surface as you 
would expect, considering that within ten hours’ walk there 
runs the Kalee river, (which divides the British and Goork- 
alee territories,) the bed of which is more than 4000 feet 
below us; and towards the north flows the Ramesur river on 
its way to join the former; the bridge over it is about five 
hours’ walk from hence, and not quite 1500 feet above the sea, 
The soil in this vicinity lies thinly upon mica slate and quartz : 
not far in any direction the soil is even worse, being wholly 
disintegrated granite, scattered over which are immense round 
masses of that rock. Beyond the Ramesur, the country is 
far more fertile, the hills being much less abrupt, and lime- 
stone being a prevailing rock. The temperature here (Lo- 
hooghat) is remarkably pleasant; great heats or excessive 
cold being equally unknown; the annual mean I have endea- 
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