64 Lieutenant Wilcox's Survey of the North-east of Assam. 



though low, are not liable to inundation. The whole tract 

 through which it flows is said to be highly favourable to cul- 

 tivation, and was in the time of the Deka Rajah thickly 

 peopled. Particular names are still preserved to each bend 

 and strong island. 



• Luttuo and Simieii are liow the only villagfes immediately 

 oil the banks of the river, near its source in the hills in a di- 

 rection south-east from Marbar, Mookh, and Luttoru, Un- 

 dong and Lissoo, which were removed here from their former 

 siteS) after the Assamese captives were forcibly liberated last 

 year. The cultivation is at present insufficient for support ; 

 and some of the Singfoh chiefs are even reduced to the 

 necessity of guiding the plough with their own hands. A 

 nearly impenetrable tree jungle extends without interruption. 

 The soil is loam with pebbles. Near a low part of the Duedam 

 Hills, washed by the river, is found a peculiar black clay, use-» 

 ful to potters. 



During an excursion to the Meeseemee Hills, I received 

 the information which has enabled me to trace a route to the 

 " Lama" country. I remained three days confined by stormy 

 weather at Thethong, a village of three or four houses, situated 

 near the crest of a hill, which is climbed with great labour, 

 and high enough to afford a view of seventy or eighty miles 

 to the extremity of the vale across the great river. It was 

 my purpose to visit the Taeen chiefs village (the third on the 

 route) to gather information, and to examine a hill producing 

 fine garnets and large cubes of iron pyrites, but I was pre- 

 vented from proceeding by the heavy rains. The Meeseemeeg 

 sometimes reach Taeen Gong from Challa in one day, by a 

 path passing the Brahma Kund, and skirting the rocks on the 

 river's edge ; but, when carrying a load, they are obliged fo 

 make the circuit ; and for men of the plains this path is said 

 to be too difficult. 



Sitti, on the frontier of the Lama country, is but eight 

 days' journey beyond Taeen, and one day on this side of the 

 point of conflux of the Tulooka and Tulooding, the north 

 and east branches forming the Burrumpooter. 



Having crossed the river by a cane suspension-bridge at 

 Taeen, the worst part of the road is passed, and thence cattle 



