28 Chirr a Punji, and its eligibility for the erection [Jan, 



producing in the season, June, July, and August, an abundant crop of 

 fruit, which is admitted to be as much superior to pine-apples grown 

 elsewhere in Bengal, as the Kasya (or as they are called) Silhet 

 oranges are to those of any other part of India. When in full season, this 

 fruit is some times sold at the Sanatarium at upwards of 380 for one 

 rupee ; it is rather above the common size, weighing from \ to \ of a 

 seer each ; it contains much juice, and it only remains to be ascertained, 

 whether this fine fruit (certainly the cheapest, considering its quantity 

 known to exist any where) may not make fine cider, or whether by dis- 

 tillation, it may not be converted into good brandy. The leaves of the 

 plant are gathered by the Kasyas according to the wants of their re- 

 spective families, and not for the purpose of trade, generally before the 

 commencement of the rains ; they are soaked in water for some time, 

 before the fibre is separated by being beaten out, this fibre appears 

 remarkably strong, but I have not had opportunity of submitting it to 

 any comparative trials. It is chiefly used by the Kasyas for the net 

 pouches or bags which form part of the equipment of every inhabitant 

 of the hills. One of these I have the pleasure to send you. Should this 

 hemp be found adapted for cordage, canvas, or even for paper, it may 

 become an article of much importance, as I can assure the Society that 

 the plant may be spread to any extent that may be supposed desirable, 

 with little care and hardly any expense. 



The pepper vine grows wild in the jungles ; it is also cultivated in 

 small quantities about the houses of the natives. The specimen now for- 

 warded is the produce of such culture. It is used by the natives in 

 their ordinary food, and is sold in the bazar of every village ; but I have 

 not been able to find that it is ever exported. There can be no question 

 however but the cultivation of this vine may be extensively increased. 



Specimens of Indian Rubber I have already presented to the Society. 

 It is produced from a tree which grows to a considerable size amongst 

 the rocks, and which being of quick growth may be propagated with 

 ease to any extent from suckers or even from slips ; but even without 

 increasing the plant, a very considerable supply might now be furnished 

 were the article to be in demand. From the various purposes to which it 

 has lately been applied in England, it may one day become a valuable 

 article of export ; in its liquid state I have succeeded in moulding it 

 into any shape. 



The cotton which is brought by the Kasyas to the plains for sale is 

 purchased by them from the Garrows, a tribe inhabiting the northern 

 side of the range of hills which divide Assam from Sylhet, but as this 

 article has been already fully described by Captain Fisher I merely men- 

 tion it whilst enumerating the various productions of the Kasya moun- 



