322 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



a most laborious march through jungle, where no trace of a path was to 

 be found, I reached the place. 



Near to JBorhdth, are several salt springs, whence a considerable 

 quantity of salt used formerly to be obtained. Those at present worked 

 were too far removed within the Ndga hills, for me to visit them ; the 

 evaporation is carried on in green bamboos, and the salt presented was 

 generally of a grey colour, extremely hard and compact, having the form 

 of the bamboo in which it had been boiled, and possessing the radiated 

 structure in perfection.* 



After passing eighteen rapids in an attempt to survey the river 

 beyond Borhdth I desisted ; the hills which I had then an opportunity of 

 examining, for they were generally covered with soil to some depth, were 

 either of grey or yellow sandstone : the former of a close hard texture and 

 the latter coarse, and when exposed to the action of the waters converted 

 speedily into clay ; coal is found at no great distance. 



I was told that the produce of the Ndga hills is limited to ginger, 

 black pepper, a few vegetables, iron and salt. 



With the aid of an elephant and a party of coolies, I attempted to 

 drag a canoe across to the old fort of Jypur, but on my arrival there I 

 found my boat so much injured by rough usage in the way through the 

 close forest that it was no longer serviceable. An Asamese captive had 

 fortunately made his escape that day from the hands of the Singfos, 

 and having robbed them of a canoe, in addition to such trifles as he could 

 conveniently seize and carry off in it, he presented himself to our notice, 



* May not these salt springs belong to the new red sandstone formation ? 



