778 Extracts from a report of a journey [No. 154. 



more than three years on the same piece of land ; they prefer clearing 

 new tree jungle to remaining longer, as by that time grass and ekra 

 jungle overrun their clearances, which they find more difficult to eradi- 

 cate than clearing new tree jungle ; they cultivate vast quantities of 

 cotton, which they dispose of to the Assamese ryots and traders for 

 cash and salt. Cotton thrives beautifully in almost all these low hills. 

 On the higher range to the north of the Meekirs, are the upper Renmah 

 Nagas, some of their villages are but one, and others two days' march 

 from Mohung. Despatched the Kutkees to summon in the chiefs with 

 their cloths, and also a messenger to Tularam Seenaputti, requesting an 

 interview with him at Ramsah, a small village to the west of this a few 

 miles. 



2lst February. — Not wishing to remain idle here until the arrival of 

 the Naga chiefs and Tularam Seenaputti, I proceeded to the falls of the 

 Jummoona, a distance of about five miles below Mohung, passed through 

 the small village of Ramsah on the north of the Jummoona, and from 

 there, half an hour's walk took us to the falls. Here I encamped for the 

 day, and went to inspect these falls ; chalk, coal, and lime, said to be 

 in their vicinity, these falls are of one continuation for about half a mile. 

 The first of about 30 perpendicular feet ; 2d, about 20 ; 3d, of 12 ; 4th, of 

 10 feet, and so diminishing until they settle down into the rapids. 

 The river above the falls is full to its banks, below very rapid, with 

 many deep pools. Its banks here are of rock and of hard red sandstone ; 

 some of the rocks in the bed of the river are of immense size. During 

 the rainy season, the body of water rushing down this spot, must be very 

 considerable. There are small hills, height about 150 feet on each 

 bank of the river at the falls . About half a mile from the falls I came 

 upon the chalk as mentioned in the late Mr. Grange's Journal, I found 

 it in the bed of the river, and also two small nullahs falling into the 

 Jummoona. There is a large quantity of it ; but I am of opinion it is 

 pipe clay and not chalk. The coal too I saw ; it is in a small nullah at 

 the eastern base of these small hills on the north bank of the river. 

 The stratum is small and in the bed of this nullah ; but not having 

 the necessary instruments for excavating, I was unable to get any good 

 specimens, I however brought away with me a few pieces ; the upper 

 seam was of a soft blackish substance and easily crumbled in the hand ; 



