1845.] Report of an Expedition into the Mishmee Hills. 493 



quantity of alabaster. On the left bank of the Tiding, primary limestone 

 prevails ; beyond which micaceous formations are numerous, which in 

 the vicinity of the Toolooah river become mica slate. Serpentine 

 abounds in the bed of the Burhampooter, and granite would appear to 

 occupy the higher elevations of the mountains, as I did not perceive 

 any in situ, although boulders were plentiful in all the streams. I 

 however beg to submit these observations with diffidence, and trust that 

 the few specimens forwarded herewith may throw some light on this 

 subject when submitted to more competent judges than myself. 



My dear Sir, — I have the pleasure to forward two heads of the 

 animal which, in some of your communications you informed me, were 

 supposed to belong to an animal somewhat resembling the African Gnoo.* 

 It however appears, from the descriptions given of it by the Mishmees, 

 to be of the deer [antelope] kind, and is called by them Takang, and by 

 the Khamptees, Khing. In size the animal is but a little smaller than a 

 buffalo, having an immense chest and shoulder, but small hind quarters ; 

 the fore-legs are large and powerful, but taper off below the knee ; the 

 under part of the neck is furnished with a dewlap that reaches nearly 

 to the ground, and is covered with long hair ; the skin is speckled, and 

 on the top of the back and neck is almost black ; the tail resembles that 

 of the deer, being only two or three inches long, and is turned up when 

 the animal is in action. It is only to be found near the snow, and is said 

 to be very fierce and dangerous to approach. 



The fur cap that accompanies the heads is made of this animal's 

 skin : the larger head is of a male, and the smaller of a female ; but the 



■(■ of both have been as much as possible cut away to enable the 



hunters to bring them in. I am happy to say, that I have been promised 

 by the Rannah Gohain's son a complete set of all the bones, together 

 with the skin of the beast, which I hope he may shortly succeed in 

 procuring. The other head is that of a Lama cow. \ 



* This animal is supposed to be as yet undescribed. I will forward the specimens 

 by the first opportunity. — F. J. 



t Illegible in MS.— Ed. 



% Most of the specimens here mentioned have arrived at the Society's Museum, in- 

 cluding a skin of the Takang, and a frontlet and horns; also the.head of the " Lama 

 cow," which would appear to be of the hybrid Yak race, termed Yho and Yho-mo, 

 was according to the sex. The Takang, however, cannot well be described until its bones 

 or at least the entire skull, with the skin of the face and the extremities, come to 

 hand. — Cur. As. Soc. 



