POPULATION OF ASAM, 335 



northern hills, empties itself into the summit near Slldni Mulch, (so called 

 from the numerous fragments of rock and stones). The accounts given by all 

 of the course of the Lohit, from the Brahmakund, and above this point, are 

 so corroborative, and so supported by geographical appearances, that I enter- 

 tain little doubt as to the general accuracy of our knowledge regarding it, 

 and have ceased to consider that stream, as any longer possessing claims to 

 paramount interest. I therefore pause at the Dihong, the very great bulk of 

 which, added to many peculiar circumstances related of its supposed source 

 and passage, unite in rendering it an object of the greatest importance in the 

 pursuit of scientific enquiry, as to it alone can we look for any prospect of the 

 realization of the generally received theory, attributing a northern origin to 

 a branch of the Brahmaputra. 



The existence of a very large river called the Sri LoMt, (or sacred stream) 

 running at the back ofi,th]e; mountainous ranges, appears to be too generally 

 asserted to be altogether void of foundation, but I am totally unable to ascer=. 

 tain the direction of its course, and can only reconcile the contradictory ac- 

 counts by supposing it to separate into two branches taking opposite channels 5 

 one of these flowing from east to west, is said to discharge its waters into the 

 i)?7^owo', periodically with the rainy season, and the arguments in favour of 

 this statement, are supported by very strong data. The opening in the 

 n^ountainous ranges through which the Dihong issues, is sufficiently defined 

 to authorize the opinion of its being the channel of a river, and that there is a 

 communication with the plains of the north, has been shewn by fatal experience. 



In the reign of Rajeswar, little more than half a century ago, a sudden 

 and overwhelming flood poured from the Dihong, inundating the whole 

 country, and sweeping away, with a resistless torrent, whole villages, and 

 even districts : such is described to have been its violence, that the general 

 features of the country, and the course of the river, were materially altered 



3 N 



