ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 319 



cubic feet per second, and of the sacred Brahmaputra, or eastern branch 

 passing Sadiya, 32,413 feet in the same time. It is however to be 

 observed, that there had been a considerable rise before the latter 

 measurement was made, and that divided as the river is in that 

 part of its stream near Rangpur into many channels, it is probable 

 that the former did not embrace the whole river, or that some of the minor 

 channels had been omitted, being inaccessible. 



The next notice that appeared is in the Government Gazette, ,9th June, 

 and it is important to notice it, if merely to show that attention was 

 not yet directed to the navigation of the Dihong, though it is men- 

 tioned in these terms : " The river (i. e. Brahmaputra) washes Sildni 

 Mukh or Mur, so called from the numerous stones and fragments of 

 rock washed down from the hills by the Dihong and Dihong rivers, 

 which soon after empty themselves into the Lohit ; these rise and 

 flow from perceptible openings in the high chain of hills to the north- 

 ward, and considerably contribute to the mass of the river, which after 

 passing above their mouths, diminishes materially in bulk and im- 

 portance." The writer further says, "But the object of greatest interest 

 to topographical science is a clear and distinct opening in the lower lofty 

 ranges bearing due east, behind which is pointed out by all ranks and 

 classes, the Brahma Kund, or reservoir, whence flows the Brahmaputra, 

 and distant from hence not more than forty or fifty miles — six days' jour- 

 ney. The stream is described as taking its rise from a circular basin or 

 well in the side of the mountain beneath the snowy region, while behind 

 and above it are stupendous ranges of impracticable transit." 



In the mean time Captain Bedford and myself had reached Bisha- 

 nalh, where directions were received in a letter from Colonel Richards, 

 commanding the force, to survey the Bi't/i Lohit, or old channel of the 



