1845.] Hill Tribes in the Chittagong District. 381 



him to marry them. Seeing the respect paid to the venerable old 

 man and to his consort, reminded me of the life of the patriarchs. 



On the morning we had a storm and heavy rain till 8 o'clock, so I 

 could not begin the ascent of Sitacra hill before 10 o'clock ; at that 

 time the thermometer was 82°. Ascending the hill I was scorched 

 by the rays of the sun, but the effect of the elevation was marked on 

 the temperature ; when I reached the top of the hill it was past 1 1 

 o'clock. I had the pleasure to enjoy a refreshing breeze ; and at 12 

 o'clock, the thermometer was only 78°. Sitacra is one of the highest 

 hills of the chain, which extends from the east to the north-east • its ele- 

 vation is from twelve to fifteen hundred feet above the level of the 

 river, and it affords the most magnificent sight I have ever witnessed. 

 The view was extensive and charming — the sea to the S.W. ; to the 

 W., Chittagong and Sitacoond ; to the N. W. the Ranee house, situated 

 in a vast plain covered with water ; Chittagong river flowing in serpen- 

 tine lines, and to the E. and N. E. a succession of peaks more or less 

 elevated, clothed with vegetation, and appearing to draw closer to- 

 gether as they disappeared. The horizon was an immense circle ; 

 and although the scenery was diversified, a single place could not 

 be seen stripped of vegetation ; the most elevated spots were covered 

 with shrubs, the hiils have been crowned with Jarool and Toon trees, but 

 they have been cut down by the different tribes, when they have 

 cleared the ground ; all those places have been cultivated, with the ex- 

 ception of the narrow valleys which lie between the ridges of the hills. 

 The humidity occasioned by five or six months of rain produces a ve- 

 getation full of vigour ; from the edge of the water to the top of the 

 highest hill, the flourishing aspect of nature is a proof of the fertility 

 of the land. Few of those hills are without springs. The air appears 

 to be very good. 



People living on those hills appear to be healthy and strong. 

 I saw some persons above 70 years old ; and I was told that there 

 was a woman whose age was 100 years. Last year many persons 

 died of cholera. This disease was unknown to them fifteen years ago. 

 Fever is the general complaint. I admired the idea of the Kookies, 

 who believe that the greatest happiness of man after his death, 

 consists in being placed on the summit of the highest hill to enjoy 

 the pleasure of seeing the beauties of nature. The existence of a 



