HOOKHOOM VALLEY. 



73 



Throughout the march nothing occurred to shew that this part 

 of the valley is inhabited. We passed, however, an old and extensive 

 burying ground of the Singphos. Of the Putars only small portions 

 were cultivated, and the crops did not appear to be very good. 



Nempean, which is a stockaded village, is about a quarter of a mile 

 from the encampment of the Mewoon, and about S. E., and within 

 200 yards to the N. N. E. is a similar stockaded village called 

 Tubone. Both these villages are on the right bank of the Namturoon, 

 which is a large stream, as big nearly as the Noa Dihing at Beesa. 

 B. measured it, and finds its extreme bed to be 270 yards broad. The 

 volume of water is considerable, the rapids are moderate ; it is navi- 

 gable for largish canoes. On this bank, i. e. right, there is an extensive 

 plain running nearly N. and S. ; no part of it seems to be culti- 

 vated. The scenery is precisely the same as that of Upper Assam, 

 viz. open, flat, intersected by belts of jungle. With the exception of 

 the W. and the points between this and south, hills are visible, some 

 of considerable height. To the S. E. there is a fine peak, which 

 reminds one much of the Mishmee peak, so remarkable at Suddiya. 

 It is in this direction that the hills are highest. 



No tea is reported to exist here. B. met with it on his road hither, 

 and shewed me the specimen ; there is no difference between this 

 and the Assam specimens in appearance, neither are the leaves at 

 all smaller. As a new route has been cut out I cannot visit it, but 

 shall wait until I arrive at Meinkhoom. 



The Chykwar Mulberry occurs, and to a larger size than I have 

 seen it in Assam. The Singphos, however, as they have no silkworms, 

 do not make use of it; I have seen some little cultivation on the 

 Tooroon belonging to Bon : Kanee or Opium formed portion of it. 

 Thermometer in shade at 2 p.m. 85°. 



March 21s*. — 7 a.m. Thermometer 60°. Yesterday at 2 p.m. 86°! 

 under a decently covered shed. 



Boiled water at 209£ Fahr. Thermometer 70°, which gives 1399 

 feet of elevation. 



Started at 9, and arrived at Kidding on the Saxsai, a small stream 

 which now falls into the Tooroon. Distance about four miles and 

 a half from Nempean : general direction about S. S. E. The road 

 runs along the Tooroon S., and a little to the W. of S. ; it then 

 diverges up the Saxsai, which runs nearly W. and E. Near the 

 mouth of the Saxsai, and about 400 yards above, there is another 

 small stream, the Jinnip Kha. Both these are on the left bank of 



