CAPTAIN WILCOX'S ROUTE. 



3. 



is beautifully clear. The first cane suspended bridge occurs here ; 

 I did not fancy it, although I observed the Mishraees cross, the 

 passage taking barely half a minute. Throughout the whole time 

 the Mishmees use their legs and arms, to accelerate or determine 

 their progress ; the inclination caused by the weight is slight. I 

 preferred one of our own erection, about 100 yards distant from it. 

 The height is not great over the river, and the width is perhaps thirty 

 yards. The Bourra crossed after some delay ; we were then obliged 

 to make two halts : we followed the Sung down to its mouth, which 

 is barely 200 yards : its bed is rocky ; at its junction there is a large 

 bay formed, on the N. side of which is a fine sand bank. The Lohit 

 there runs nearly N. and S., and is excessively violent in its course, 

 certainly ten miles an hour. The scenery is pretty, but no hills of 

 great height are seen to any extent. This is the most romantic 

 spot I have seen in my course of travels as yet. We forded the bay 

 about its centre, and encamped on the sand : the path we are to fol- 

 low is said to be above, and very difficult. We here gathered some 

 fine ferns and a Bleteoid Orchidea. A Gentianacea likewise occurred. 

 The Tapan Gam, on my inquiring, said, that Wilcox passed by the 

 upper path, the Lohit at that time running under the cliff which 

 forms one side of the bay.* The course of the river, he says, has 

 since changed by the occurrence of a large slip, principally of mica 

 slate. 



Nov. 8th. — The commencement of our march to-day was up a hill, 

 the ascent, as in all the other cases, being very steep. From its 

 summit we could see Dilling in a horizontal distance extremely near. 

 We then proceeded skirting the hill, and descended subsequently 

 to the O. rivulet, which is of no size. We then ascended another 

 considerable height, and found ourselves on the site of Ghaloom's 

 old dwelling. The situation was delightful ; to the N. E., a high 

 range was visible, which is covered with snow, the pines on the 

 lower parts of the ridge standing out, in fine relief. To the N. was 

 a noble peak bare at its summit, on which snow rests during some 

 months, its centre being prettily marked out with numerous patches 

 of cultivation. To the N. again the Tid-ding might be seen foaming 

 along the vallies ; the hills are evidently improving in height and 

 magnificence of scenery. We reached this at 12 o'clock, our march 

 having lasted five hours. We thence descended crossing a small 



* For a narrative of Lieut. Wilcox's visit to the Mishmee mountains, see As 

 Res. vol. xvii. p. 314. 



