36 



MISHMKK MOUNTAINS. 



then returned over a low hill to Khosha's. The guide who was some 

 distance behind, came up with a Rafflesia bud. I returned with him, 

 and saw it to perfection ; he likewise succeeded in tracing the roots 

 to a gigantic Cissus, the fruit of which I have before observed is 

 eatable, and not unlike a greengage. I returned home loaded with 

 this undescribed genus : I found likewise a fine Buddlea, and Menis- 

 permum, with some rare Composite, among which was an arborescent 

 Eupolanisia and a gigantic thistle, a Prunus in flower and fruit, and 

 a neat Liparis, Calamus, Tree-fern, Tupistra, Pandanus, were like- 

 wise observed, and a beautiful Viburnum, Corol sterilibus, 4 phyllis, 

 foliis niveis cameo venosis : petal fertil calyptratis, deciduis, intus 

 cseruleo tinctis : staminibus cyaneis, ovariis pallide cseruleis, stigma- 

 tib. carnosis. 



Nov. \3(h. — Opposite Khosha's, or rather his granaries to the 

 E. is a high mountain excessively steep, only partially clothed with 

 trees, and with stunted ones at its summit, which in December and 

 the colder months is covered with snow : this they call Thaya- 

 thro. 



Khosha positively refuses to take me any farther into the interior, 

 and Krisong begs that I won't come and see him. It is obvious 

 that they are under great fear of other tribes. Khosha says, he should 

 be attacked by all the Mishoos or Mizhoos, were he to conduct me 

 any farther now, and that very probably the Lamas would attack 

 him likewise. He says the only chance of success in penetrating 

 to Lama, is to send previously a present of salt, (about a seer) to all 

 the chiefs, and request their leave, without which preparatory dona- 

 tion, they would cut up any messengers he might send. He offers 

 to do this at any time, and to let me know the result. He 

 declined taking me to the Chibong Gam, a few days' journey up the 

 Diree, although the man is a relation of his own, and a Deboro 

 Mishmee. It is obvious that there is no chance of getting further 

 at present, nor would it be fair even if one could bribe them. He 

 says no reliance whatever is to be placed on Rooling, the Mizhoo 

 who deceived Wilcox, and whom he represents to be an underhand 

 person. I tried to overcome his scruples by assuring him that I only 

 wanted to go as far as Rooling, but he declines taking me. He says 

 I may go any where to the west of this, but to the north he dare 

 not conduct me. I shall therefore go to Premsong to-morrow, and 

 if that is not a favourable place, return forthwith to Ghaloom's, and 

 thence to Deeling to botanise on Thuma-thaya. 



