KHASI HILLS. 101 



still await solution. Densely covered as these portions are with close 

 jungle, abounding in swamps, a sojourn there during the wet and hot 

 months of summer would be almost certain death to an European : and 

 I was therefore obliged to forego my desire of visiting these districts. It 

 will be seen that in consequence several questions of importance have 

 been left still unsolved. 



The extent of our labours was seriously affected, not only by such 

 circumstance of locality, but also, by the peculiarity of the climate. 

 During such wet seasons not much out-of-door work could be accom- 

 plished, especially when the country had to be surveyed and mapped 

 topographically, as well as examined geologically. And even during the 

 season of 1852, which, as I have mentioned, was drier and finer than 

 that of 1851, much interruption to such pursuits was unavoidable, where 

 the fall of rain during the three months of our visit was not less than 

 276 inches ! (aj 



A brief sketch of the economical applications of some of the mine- 

 ral products of these hills is added to the outline of their Geology. 



I have to express the great obligations I was under to Colonel Lis- 

 ter, Political Agent for the Khasi hills, and to his Assistant, Lieutenant 

 Cave, for their valuable and ready co-operation in every way to facilitate 

 my enquiries. To Mr. Cave also and to Mr. Raban, Adjutant of the Sylhet 

 Light Infantry, I was indebted for their instructive company during 

 several trips among the hills, which enhanced my enjoyment most mate- 

 rially ; and, which, from my almost total want of acquaintance with the 

 language of the country (at least during my first visit) proved essen- 

 tially valuable. Indeed, without the benefit of their local knowledge, 

 my success would have been much more limited than it was. 



(a) During these three months, the actual number of days during which no rain fell at 

 Cherra Poonjee, was 21, mz : in July 3 ; in August 6 ; in September 12 ; while of days on 

 which the fall was trifling or less than one inch of rain there were 25, vis : in July 3; In 

 August 12; in September 10.; giving a total number of fair working days, inclusive of 

 Sundays, of 46. 



