Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 427 



scended to the Deo-Nuddee, which is 800 or 900 feet below the 

 village, and which runs at the bottom of the ravine, of which the 

 Dewangari ridge forms the southern side, and we continued as- 

 cending its bed, almost entirely throughout the march. The river 

 is of moderate size, scarcely fordable however in the rains ; it 

 abounds with the fish known to the Assamese by the name of Book- 

 har, and which are found throughout the mountain streams of the 

 boundaries of the province. 



24th. Left for Khegumpa. The march was almost entirely an un- 

 interrupted ascent, at least until we had reached 7000 feet, so that 

 the actual height ascended amounted nearly to 5000 feet. It com- 

 menced at first over sparingly wooded grassy hills, until an elevation 

 of about 4000 feet was attained, when the vegetation began to 

 change ; rhododendrons, and some other plants of the same natural 

 family making their appearance. Having reached the elevation of 

 7000 feet by steep and rugged paths, we continued along ridges well 

 clothed with trees, literally covered with pendulous mosses and 

 lichens, the whole vegetation being extra-tropical. At one time we 

 wound round a huge eminence, the bluff and bare head of which 

 towered several hundred feet above us, by a narrow rocky path or 

 ledge overhanging deep precipices ; and thence we proceeded nearly 

 at the same level along beautiful paths, through fine oak woods, until 

 we reached Khegumpa ; the distance to which, although only eleven 

 miles, took us the whole day to perform. 



This march was a beautiful, as well as an interesting one, owing 

 to the changes that occurred in the vegetation. It was likewise so 

 varied, that although at a most unfavourable season of the year, I 

 gathered no fewer than 130 species in flower or fruit. Rhododen- 

 drons of other species than that previously mentioned, oaks, chesnuts, 

 maples, violets, primroses, &c. &c. occurred. We did not pass any 

 villages, nor did we meet with any signs of habitation, excepting a 

 few pilgrims proceeding to Hazoo. 



Khegumpa itself is a small village on an exposed site ; it does not 

 contain more than twelve houses, and the only large one, which as 

 usual belonged to a Sam Gooroo, appeared to be in a ruinous state. 

 The elevation is nearly 7000 feet. The whole place bore a wintery 

 aspect, the vegetation being entirely northern, and almost all the 

 trees having lost their leaves. The cold was considerable, although 

 the thermometer did not fall below 46°. The scarlet tree rhododen- 

 dron was common, and the first fir tree occurred in the form of a 

 solitary specimen of Pinus excelsa. In the small gardens attached to 

 some of the houses I remarked vestiges of the cultivation of tobacco 



2 h 2 



