OBJECTS OF CULTIVATION. 



39 



I observed no less than 5 Araliacese, of which I succeeded in get- 

 ting 4 : an Acer, probably that from Brahma Koond : and several in- 

 certa. Near Premsong's the varnish tree was shewn to me, it is 

 obviously a species of Rhus. The Assamese name of the varnish 

 plant is Ahametta Gas. I took specimens of it in fruit. 



They obtain the juice by ringing, and the only two specimens 

 I observed were evidently well drained : no preparation is required 

 for the varnish ; and it is applied one day, the next day is hard ; it 

 has a fine polish, and is of an intense black. It is the same probably 

 with two small trees I had previously seen in Capt. Charlton's gar- 

 den at Suddyah. Kydia continues; a fine Palm, caudex 8-10-pedali; 

 it probably belongs to the genus Wallichia ? Camellia is only found 

 towards the top ; the Polygonatum also does not descend far. I 

 saw also species of an undescribed Bucklandia, likewise one speci- 

 men which had been damaged : the capituli pluriflori. Towards the 

 middle a small bamboo becomes plentiful; the lower joints, from 

 which no branches proceed, are armed with a verticillus of spines* 

 1 did not observe Pandanus, but it is used for constructing large 

 mats : Megala continues, but not up the hill. 



Nov. 16th. — Attempted to ascend Laim-planj-thaya by the Paeen 

 rivulet which proceeds from the centre, but after proceeding about half 

 an hour we found our progress effectually stopped by a water- fall, the 

 sides of the stream being so precipitous as to render all idea of clam- 

 bering over, or proceeding round ridiculous. Gathered two or three 

 rare ferns, and a pretty Lobelia. On our return through the open 

 grassy parts near Premsong's, we found a fine Choripetalum and 

 Crawfurdia campanulacea, beautifully in flower; the flower is rose- 

 coloured. Anthistiria arundinacea, the same Sambucus found at 

 Suddya, Solanum 10 dentatum, a Kydia and Torenia continue. 



Nov. 1 7th. — Left and returned to Khosha's, as we were all out of 

 rice, and it was impossible to get anything in Premsong's absence. 

 The march on return occupied us about two hours, but the path was 

 so excessively slippery, owing to the grass not being cut away on 

 either side and to the dry weather and heat, that our progress was 

 very slow. Noticed Lactuca exalata and a Rottlera on the road ; more 

 snow has fallen on the hills E. N. E. The descent on returning, owing 

 to the slippery state of the roads, was more fatiguing than the ascent. 

 Hedychium angustifolium I also observed on the road. 



I have as yet observed the following grains used by the Mishmees. 

 1st, Oriza, rice ; variety of this called Ahoo Da ; 2nd, a species 



