1837.] the Mishmee hills in Assam. 331 



Geology. Of the geology of these hills I am unfortunately incompe- 

 tent to judge ; nor was I ever enabled to m;>ke a satisfactory collection, 

 owing to the impossibility of procuring additional carriage. 



Zoology. The subjects presented by the animal kingdom are cer- 

 tainly not extensive either in number of species or of individuals. I 

 observed no wld quadrupeds except monkeys and an occasional 

 squirrel ; no tigers exist, but bears are represented as tolerably 

 numerous. The number of birds which 1 succeeded in procuring 

 barely amounted to species. 



Botany. Of the botany it is not my intention here to give an 

 extended account. It is sufficient to state that it appears to have 

 similar features with other portions of the Sub-Himalayan ranges. 

 I did not reach the region of fir trees, but I could plainly distinguish 

 by the telescope the existence of very extensive forests on the loftier 

 ranges to the eastward. The families that have the most numerous 

 representatives are Composites, Urticea, Balsaminea, Cyathandiaceee, 

 Acanthacece, Graminece and Filices. The most interesting, chiefly from 

 the indicating elevation, or from their being usually associated with 

 climates similar to that of northern Europe, are Ranunculacece, includ- 

 ing that valuable drug the Mishmee-Teeta, and the celebrated poison 

 Bee. Fumareacece, Violacice, Camelliacea, Hamamelidice, including the 

 Bucklandia and Sedgwickia , Gentianece, Vacciniacea, Campanulacece, 

 ThymaletE, Juglandece, Cupulifera. The most unique plants is a new 

 genus of Raffleseucea, like its gigantic neighbour of the Malayan 

 Archipelago, a parasite, on the root of a species of vine. 



The natives of this portion of the range are divided into two tribes, 

 Taeen or Digaroo and Meyhoo, these last tracing their descent from 

 the Dibong Mishmees who are always known by the term crop-haired. 

 The Meyhoo, however, like the Taeens, preserve their hair, wearing 

 it generally tied in a knot on the crown of their head. The appear- 

 ance of both tribes is the same, but the language of the Meyhoos is 

 very distinct. They are perhaps the more powerful of the two ; but 

 their most influential chiefs reside at a considerable distance from the 

 lower ranges. The only Meyhoos I met with are those at Deeling, 

 Yeu, a small village opposite Deeling but at a much higher elevation, 

 and Tnpati. I need scarcely add that it was owing to the opposition 

 of this tribe that Captain Wilcox failed in reaching Lama. The 

 Digaroos are ruled by three influential chiefs, who are brothers, 

 Dkisong, Khosha, and Ghaloom : of these, Drisong is the eldest and 

 the most powerful, but he resides far in the interior. Pkimsono is 

 from a distant stock ; and as the three brothers mentioned above are 



