80 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [April, 



The Karens cut down hundreds of these trees annually to make room 

 for their rice clearings. 



The spot is distant from Tounghoo 34 miles. A good supply of 

 water all the year round. Small quantities of ice can be collected in 

 December and January : road easy for elephants and bullocks. 



If the specimens forwarded are not sufficient to enable an opinion to 

 be formed as to the value of the plant, kindly let me know how a 

 fresh lot should be prepared before despatch. 



March 3rd, 1866. 



Yours faithfully, 



M. Lloyd, 

 Deputy Commissioner , Tounyhoo. 



Extract from the Deputy Commissioner of Tounghoo 's Journal, on 

 his visit to the Gyeikki country. 



" After crossing the Pha Thoay Kyouk mountain, the road is 

 almost a continued descent ; here and there a small but abrupt hill 

 has to be passed over. After travelling between 5 and 6 miles, the 

 Tha Kho Creek is crossed, a small stream which runs into the 

 Toukyagat, whose course is east of the " Dha Thoay Kyouk" mountain. 

 The road then passed into a valley known as Lek Pet Aing. This valley 

 runs almost north and south, two miles in length, with an average 

 breadth of 250 yards ; the valley is sorrounded by a small range of 

 hills : whichever way the eye is turned, on these hills the tea plant is 

 to be found in abundance. A small colony of Shans settled here last 

 year, with a view to prepare this tea for the Tounghoo markets : the 

 colony consisted of about 50 souls, but 30 died of fever during the 

 rains ; which drove those who were spared away. The Shans pronounced 

 the tea plant a little inferior to the same plant found in abundance in 

 the Shan States, but stated that, with proper cultivation, it could be 

 greatly improvod. 



" The hills all about are covered with tea trees. I saw some between 

 30 and 40 feet high. The leaves of this tree are alternate, and have, 

 what I have read of as peculiar to the leaf, viz. a leathery feeling and 

 a marking with transparent spots. On making enquiries as to the 

 origin of the trees, I am informed that between 200 and 300 years ago 

 R Shan Tsawbwa, byname " Tonug ba loo," built a large town near 

 fjekpel Alng," and planted tea trees, but the Tsawbwa was not allowed 



