586 Notes on Northern Cachar. [No. 7. 



carelessly those who are accustomed to this system, trudge along 

 this frail framework, where the footing, consisting as it frequently 

 does of but one bamboo, is exceedingly precarious. Coolies laden 

 with heavy burdens, pass as securely as if on terra firma. 



The ascents on this route are also very considerable, especially 

 the last one up the Burrail. The scenery is in many parts very 

 interesting. The Chinam is a large mountain torrent, and both 

 that river and its tributary abound in scenes highly picturesque. 



The approach from Nowgong in Assam is, I am told, an exces- 

 sively tedious one as well as uninteresting. It occupies between a 

 week and ten days, lies for three days in the plains, after which 

 it enters an extensive and unhealthy terai, crosses a number of 

 low ranges of hills, and gradually encountering higher ones, reaches 

 at length the more central portion of the district. 



Ready access can, however, be had during the rains and, indeed 

 through greater part of the year, to the more northern parts of 

 the district, by means of the rivers Copilee, Dyung and Dhunseeree, 

 which are navigable, to boats of small burden and rafts, a consider- 

 able way into the interior. 



The approach from Cherrapunji lies via Kalapani and through 

 the independent territory of Raja Sing Manik, and part of Jynteah 

 hill. The scenery on this route is described as very beautiful, and 

 it passes through the most thickly populated part of the hills. Yet 

 it is little frequented except by a few Cossiahs, who venture into 

 North Cachar for the purpose of buying cotton from the Kookies. 

 There appears to be a marked difference between the character of 

 the Cossiah and Jynteah hills and those of Northern Cachar, the 

 former being grass covered, with forest bottoms, and the latter 

 overgrown with bamboo jungle, and having the forests chiefly on 

 a high level instead of a low one. This change does not take place 

 gradually along the route, but the moment the Copilee, (which 

 would seem to be the natural boundary between the two countries,) 

 is crossed, it is at once perceptible. 



A route is said to exist from Munnipur to North Cachar, lying 

 through part of the country of the Kutcha Nagas. It is described 

 as being a week's march over very difficult country, but I have no 

 further information regarding it. 



