240 Capt. Pemberton's Mission to Bootan, 1837-38. [March, 



the ridge, which must have been between 5000 and 5500 feet in 

 elevation, scarcely any change took place. As I descended to Buxa 

 vegetation became more and more tropical, and on reaching it found 

 myself surrounded with plants common in many parts of the plains of 

 Assam.* 



Buxa is rather a pretty pjace, about 2000 feet above the sea. 

 The only decent house in it is that of the Soobah, who is of inferior 

 rank. The huts are of the ordinary description, and do not exceed 

 twelve in number. The Soobah's house, with some of those of Bengal 

 officers, occupy a low rising ground in the centre of the pass, which is 

 divided from the hills on either side by a small torrent. A view of the 

 plains is obtainable from this place. 



Captain Pemberton left Buxa a day before me, as I was detained 

 behind for coolies, none of whom had yet arrived. On the following 

 day I rejoined him at Chicha-cotta. The descent to the plains is steep 

 at first, and commences about a quarter of a mile from Buxa. On 

 reaching the steep portion a halting place, called Minagoung, is 

 passed, at which place, all bullocks, which are here used as beasts of 

 burden, are relieved if bound to Buxa, or provided with burdens, 

 if bound for the plains. The descent from this place is very gra- 

 dual, and scarcely appreciable ; the path was good, and bore appear- 

 ances of being tolerably well frequented ; it passed through a 

 rather open forest, low grasses forming the under-plants. The 

 plains were not reached for several miles, indeed the descent was so 

 gradual, that the boundaries of the hills and those of the plains were 

 but ill defined. At last however the usual Assam features of vast 

 expanses of grassy vegetation, interrupted here and there with strips 

 °f jungle, presented themselves. The country is very low, entirely 

 inundated during the rains, and almost uninhabited. Saul occurred 

 toward that which may be considered the Toorai of these parts, but 

 the trees were of no size. 



Chicha-cotta is eighteen miles from Buxa, and is situated on a grassy 

 plain ; it is small and miserably stockaded, nor is there any appear- 

 ance about the place indicative of comfort or security. To Koolta. We 

 continued through nearly a desolate country, overrun with coarse 

 grasses, until we came on the river, which is of considerable width, 

 but fordable ; we now found ourselves in the Cooch-Behar territory, 

 and were much struck with the contrast between its richly cultivated 

 state, and the absolute desolation of that belonging to Bootan. We 

 continued traversing a highly fertile country, teeming with population, 



* Plantains, jacks, mangoes, figs, oranges, &c, are found about the huts of Buxa. 



