^8 



BRAMA KOOND. 



The Koond is apparently formed by the Deo-panee and Mori-panee. 

 In the rains it must be a rather striking object, now however it is 

 at this season, lost amidst the fine surrounding scenery. How the 

 Faqueer's Rock and the rock between it and the Mori-panee were 

 detached, is difficult to say. It is evident, however, that formerly the 

 two rivers were not united to form the Koond as at present, but 

 that they had each their own channels when the Faqueer's Rock must 

 have stood between them. In fact both channels, in which water has 

 flowed, still remain. My broken Thermometer pointed out the low 

 temperature of the Lohit water, and 208° was the point at which 

 water boiled in two experiments. All attempts at passing along the 

 river on this side would be vain, owing to a cliff which is totally 

 impracticable. The Mishmees know of no rivulet called the Mtee ; 

 probably this has been mistaken for the Mishmee name for water, 

 Mchee. The way Wilcox went I am at a loss to ascertain ; as he 

 could not have passed the Koond, he must have gone above it ; 

 although the hills are said to be impracticable for loaded coolies. 



Oct. 25th. — The Koond is obviously little frequented. I left some- 

 time after the coolies, pursuing the path leading to Ghaloom's, which 

 extends to the eastward. An hour and a quarter brought me again to 

 the Laee-panee, and three hours and a half to Laee Mookh : from this 

 place to Jingsha Ghat is scarcely an hour's walk. The day's journey 

 occupied about five hours inclusive of stoppages : the distance is pro- 

 bably about twelve miles. I came to the determination of returning, 

 owing to the known difficulty of the route pursued by Wilcox, 

 and the impossibility of making a collection of grain. The Tapan 

 Gam, or Lord of the Koond, particularly insisted on the impossibility 

 of ordinary coolies going this way, and as he offered men to bring up 

 grain from the plains, I at once acceded to his proposal of making a 

 granary in his village. This man had no delicacy in asking for pre- 

 sents : he at once said, " You must give gold, silver, and every thing 

 in the calendar of presents to the Deo," meaning himself. Jtb I 

 found it impracticable to satisfy him, I sent him off with a small 

 present, promising more when he should have amassed the grain. 

 His brother, a tall, stout, and much more useful man, (as he does not 

 refuse to carry loads,) on seeing me rub salt on a bird's skin, re- 

 marked, " What poor devils we are ! Bird's skins with salt supply the 

 Sahibs with food, while we can't get a morsel." They promised to 

 take me all over the country, and to be my slaves, if I would point 

 out to them where salt is to be found. 



