52 A narrative of our connexions ivith [Jan. 



above Buldagiri, on a little hill cleared for cultivation. The village of 

 Buldagiri is situated on the east bank of the Rungi, on a small piece 

 of table land overlooking the river. It contains 1 3 substantial houses, 

 and the population may be taken at an average at about 130 souls. The 

 chief is a fine old fellow, and bears an honest countenance. 



From our encamping ground the road laid along the western bank 

 of the river for about a mile, where it makes a considerable detour to 

 the east of the road, and we did not again catch a glimpse of its turbid 

 waters till we reached Chitskiri. The road between Buldagiri and the 

 above place was excellent, and a decided improvement on the river routes ; 

 no ridges of rock or high boulders obstruct the path, and so judiciously 

 has it been chosen to avoid all abrupt ascents and descents, that you 

 might almost fancy you were travelling in the plains. 



The hills we passed over were covered with jungle, in all the different 

 stages of Garrow fallow land. Low grass interspersed with old cotton 

 plants, next rank Ooloany grass, thickly studded with quick growing 

 shrubs and trees, and then the shrubs and trees grown almost into 

 forest jungle. When the jungle has attained this growth, which it 

 does in 7 or 8 years, the Garrows think the land has rested sufficiently, 

 and recommence the labour of clearing for cultivation. 



The village of Chitskiri, from which we encamped but a short distance, 

 is prettily situated on the east bank of the river, but a few of the inha- 

 bitants have located themselves on the west also. Between these two 

 places, for the convenience of villagers, one of those picturesque and use- 

 ful rattan suspension bridges has been thrown across the river. I re- 

 marked several of them in different parts of the river to enable persons 

 to pass over to their cultivations, which are frequently situated on the 

 opposite bank to what the villages are. The old chief of Chitskiri I 

 was much pleased with, and in cutting and clearing the road, as also 

 bringing up provisions, I found him and his dependents most useful. 



From Chitskiri to Rungtoopara there are two routes, one along the 

 bank of the river, and the other over the ridge of hills, which the first 

 passes under. The first is impassable for elephants and laden cattle, 

 being blocked up with ridges of rock and boulders, between which only 

 individuals can pass. The bed of the river is also impracticable, and 

 Rungtoopara would be impregnable from this side, were it not for the 

 route over the hill, which although a little abrupt, is still far from bad. 



