ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 449 



enjoy as long a rest as possible to cure their sores and swellings, three 

 were still in such a state, that their proceeding with us was out of the 

 question, and one of mine had absconded, so that we were at a consider- 

 able difficulty in arranging for the carriage of our small baggage, dimi- 

 nished as it was by the numerous presents given to the Khamtis, and 

 were obliged, after a close inspection, to discard the smallest superfluity. 

 As this was the period requiring most attention to their cultivation, we 

 could not induce the Raja to give us men on any terms. The ulcers 

 on our own hands and ankles, proceeding from the ddmdum and leech 

 bites, would not get well. The former troublesome insect abounds to 

 such a degree at Khalang, that it is wonderful the people can endure to live 

 there. There is a very pretty temple situated a few hundred yards from 

 the village, surrounded by a square court yard, which is neatly kept, and 

 is planted with plum, peach, and other fruit trees. The latitude of Kha- 

 la?ig, by a good observation of S. Urs. Maj. was 27° 32' 23". 



On the 2d June, at an early hour, we were fairly on our way to return, 

 anxious enough to see our neat built house at Sadiya, with such comforts 

 as it afforded, but by no means careless about the dismal journey which 

 was to bring us there. The pretty little valley of the Ndmlang- soon 

 closed, and where two equal streams, the Namseya and Phutigyun, meet, 

 and form the first-named river, we entered once more into a ravine of the 

 mountains, where the eye rests on nought but inhospitable jungles, or the 

 foaming torrent. At the point of confluence there is a bridge for the 

 convenience, apparently of the Mishmi* visitors, whose only route is by the 

 Namseya. The bridge is a curiosity for its lightness and seeming insta- 

 bility. Its length is full eighty yards, and it is built of very few canes. 

 The principal strength lies in the bunch of supporters above, on which 



* The Mishmi route from the Lathi on the Brahmaputra to Khalang. 



T 3 



