154 



JOURNAL TOWARDS ASSAM AND BOOTAN. 



extent, the tree either dies or a new apex is formed laterally. The old 

 notches, as might be expected, at length, become much obliterated. It 

 is from the study of such palms that much light will be thrown on 

 the growth of monocotyledonous stems. The vegetation of jheels is 

 now obviously commencing. Pistia stratioles, Nymphsea, Potamogeton, 

 Potamochloa, Oplismenus stagninus, and Villarsia occur. Reached 

 Furreedpore at 7 p. m. 



Sunday, \0th. — Came on the Paddo, an immense stream 1^ miles 

 wide, with a very strong current, about a mile to the East of Furreed- 

 pore. Lagerstrsemia Regina here occurs. 



Monday, Wth. — The country is become much lower since leaving 

 Fureedpore, and is inundated during the height of the rains. The 

 peculiar vegetation of jheels predominant ; that of the jungle conti- 

 nues much the same. Plhugoor continues plentiful. No palmyras. 

 Mangoes plentiful, but small. Passed a deserted Roman Catholic 

 Chapel, and Priest's house. White-winged long-nailed water-hens 

 becoming plentiful. 



Tuesday, \2th. — The country abounds more in jheels: in many 

 places nothing is visible but water, in which huge plains of floating 

 grasses occur. The villages are very numerous, and occupy in fact 

 almost every spot of ground not subject ordinarily to inundation. 

 Damasonium Indicum, Nymphsea pubescens occur in profusion. The 

 grass which exists in such vast quantities is, I believe, Oplismenus 

 stagninus. The water of these jheels is clear, black when deep, which 

 it often is to a great extent. 



Wednesday, \Zth. — Reached Dacca about 2 p. m. : it is a large and 

 populous place. The numerous grass of the jheels is sown there : 

 it is the red bearded dhan or paddy grass : of this vast quantities 

 are cut for fodder, for, the whole face of the country being over- 

 flowed, it follows that the cattle are throughout the rains kept in 

 stalls. 



Thursday, 14th. — Left about noon, and proceeded down the Dacca 

 river about 5 miles, then diverged into a narrow creek running 

 nearly*south. Along this were observed fine specimens of tamarind 

 trees. Stravadium in abundance. Sonninia scandens, and Mango, both 

 in abundance. Passed at 5 p. m. Neerangunge, a large native town, 

 and below it Luckepoor. A vast expanse of water appeared near this, 

 viz., the Megna. A good deal of native shipping occurs, consisting 

 of brigs : great quantities of rice being exported from both places. 

 Pelicans I observed here to roost in trees. 



