56 Dr. Hamilton's Account of the Frontier between 



is derived from the Bengalese wood-cutters, who are far 

 from accurate. I shall here, however, mention what these 

 people say, although it cannot be received as at all accurate 

 in the details ; but it will serve to show the nature of the 

 country between Komila and what Rennell calls the Mugg 

 mountains, a name totally unknown among such natives as I 

 have consulted. 



The wood-cutters state that February is the month best 

 suited for penetrating with canoes through the country, 

 which is then healthy ; nor is there any want of water for 

 bearing the canoes. 



A canoe proceeding from Komila up the Gomuti takes 

 two and a half pahars (seven and a half hours) to reach the 

 mouth of the Kazi, a rivulet arising from a large marsh 

 (jil) named Lodi, which, although nearly dry in the hot sea- 

 son, produces, in the rainy monsoon, an immense quantity 

 of fish. The Kazi enters the Gomuti on the left going up, 

 and its banks are inhabited by Kungkis. These marshes, 

 or jils as they are called, are common among the low hills 

 along the eastern frontier of Bengal. They occupy gene- 

 rally the greater part of the wider valleys winding among 

 the low hills ; and being perfectly level, are deeply covered 

 with water during the rainy season, but have nothing like 

 bog in their soil, which is in general excellent, and quite 

 firm. The ground is so deeply inundated during the rainy 

 season that it is unfit for the joom cultivation, and it is 

 therefore neglected by the mountaineers. In some parts, in- 

 deed, stagnant pools or small lakes remain throughout the 

 year ; but in a large proportion the water dries up soon after 

 the rains cease, and might be cultivated with the plough for 

 winter crops. Indeed the water is in most parts so shallow, 

 as to be well fitted for the cultivation of rice, and, by deepen- 

 ing the rivulets that pass through the extent of such land, 

 might easily be increased, as has been done in many adjacent 

 parts that are occupied by the Bengalese. This manner of 

 cultivation, however, is not practised by the hill tribes who 

 are most inured to the climate. 



Two pahars (six hours) journey farther up, brings the 

 canoe to the mouth of the Kalipani (black water) entering 

 from the left. Its banks are not inhabited. 



