614 Notes on the Kasia Hills, and People. [No. 152. 



principle, across a precipitous gorge on the road between Cherra and 

 Tringhai, is composed of long rattans stretched between two trees, at 

 a height of forty feet above the river in the dry season. Yet this 

 bridge, when I visited it, was impassable from damage done by the last 

 year's floods. The footway was a bundle of small canes lashed to- 

 gether, and connected with two larger rattans forming hand-rails, but 

 these so low and so far apart, that it must be difficult to grasp both 

 together. I could not estimate the length of this bridge much under 

 two hundred feet between the points of suspension. The Hill Kasias 

 are afraid to trust themselves on it, but the Wars, or men of the 

 vallies, cross it drunk or sober, light or laden, with indifference and 

 security. Still further up the river, and near the little village of Nong- 

 priang, immediately under Cherra, is another specimen of Kasia engi- 

 neering and ingenuity, — a bridge of about eighty feet span, composed 

 entirely of strong bamboos bent into a semicircular arch, affording a sound 

 footing, and firm rails for the hand. 



But to return to our tour of the valley of Mausmai. Quitting the 

 river we commence ascending, by a steep and rugged path, one of the 

 narrow spurs that descend from the foot of the precipice which girds 

 the valley, at a point where it is much diminished in elevation. Soon 

 leaving behind us the region of pine- apples and betel nuts, two hours 

 hard climbing brings us to the foot of the cliff, here broken in four 

 steps of twenty to thirty feet each in height, which we ascend by as 

 many bamboo ladders. These are somewhat ricketty, and at times 

 exhibit a woful hiatus among the rungs. From the summit of the 

 ladders a half hour brings us to the table land within two miles of 

 Cherra Poonjee. This table land, covered with naked undulating hills, 

 and at intervals of a few miles interrupted by deep and sudden vallies, is 

 the general characteristic of the country as far north as the Barapani ; 

 a distance of fifty miles. Beyond this, the region towards Assam sinks 

 into a tract of low hills covered with dense jungle, and abounding in 

 elephants and malaria. On the east the Jaintia country presents great 

 tracts of pasturage, dotted with clumps of fir, and in parts a park-like 

 forest scenery of stately oaks and firs form a noble foreground to the 

 distant view of the snowy mountains seen rising behind the black 

 Bootan hills, far beyond the valley of Assam. To the westward of Cherra, 

 the Kasia country may be considered to extend between forty and fifty 



