49 



CHAPTER III. 



Revisits the Tea Localities in the Singphoo and Muttack 

 Districts, Upper Assam. 



Dec. Ind. — Returned to Jingsha via Kussin Panee, or river, and 

 Karam Panee, the march being a tolerably easy one. Found along 

 the steep banks of the former a fine Meniscium, frondibus 6-8 

 pedalibus, and an arborescent Polypodium, caudice 12-15 pedali, 

 partibus novellis densissime ferrugineo-tomentosis ; frondibus subtus 

 glauco-albidis. The caudex is altogether similar in structure to that 

 of Alsophyla, equally furnished with strong black bristly radicles 

 towards its base. 



Dec. 3rd. — Left for Husa Gam's about .9, and arrived at the village 

 which is on the Kampai of the Singfos, Tup-pai of the Mishmees 

 about A\ p.m. The first part of our march was to the E. up the 

 Karam, we then traversed for a long way heavy jungle in a S. 

 direction, and then came on the dry bed of the Kampai, up which we 

 ascended to the village. Found a Ruellioidea, Cyananthus, mihi. 

 Oom of the Assamese, with which the Kamptees dye their black blue 

 cloths. Noticed an arborescent Araliacea inermis, foliis supra 

 decomposita ; panicule patentissima. The Husa Gam treated us 

 very handsomely forming a striking contrast with the Mishmees ; 

 he declares positively that no tea exists in this direction ; I shall 

 therefore proceed direct from Luttora to Beesa. Roxburghia occur- 

 red on the route. The village is on the left bank of the river : the 

 direction from Jingsha's being about N. W. 



Dec. 4th. — Reached Luttora after an easy march of three hours and 

 a half, for the most part along an excellent path. We passed the 

 following villages en route Chibong, Wakon, Mtarm, and Mcyomp- 

 san : three of which are of some size ; none however so large as 

 Nsas. This is the largest Singfo village I have seen, and probably 

 contains 400 people. This village and all the others are situated on 

 high ground, the ascent from the Kampai being probably 70 feet. 

 The country consists of level, apparently good soil, with here and 

 there broadish ravines in which bamboos are abundant. Cultivation 

 is common, and of considerable extent. On a similar eminence is 

 situate Luttora, and it has been well chosen, for on both sides that I 



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