158 



JOURNEY TOWARDS ASSAM AND BOOTAN. 



first Viburnum, also occurs here. Impatiens graminifolia a little lower. 

 Salomonia, which appears half way to Mahadeb, continues to Moos- 

 mai and Churra, but is stunted. 



Vaccinium, Ceratostema, Crotalaria Hoveoides, Gnaphalia appear 

 towards Moosmai. Wendlandia at Moosmai. Ruellia persicsefolia 

 straggles a little lower than these. Smithia commences at Moosmai ; 

 Pandanus also ; this is excessively common on hills to the left, to- 

 wards the caves. Dipsacus commences above Moosmai. 



Monday, 25th. — Churra is situated in a plain surrounded in every 

 direction by low rounded hills, except to the E. and SE., on which 

 side there is a deep ravine, the whole plateau rising considerably 

 towards the north, in the direction of Churra itself. Ravines exist 

 here and there ; it is along these, and the water- courses, that the only 

 woody vegetation is to be found. The rest of the surface is clothed 

 with grasses, of which a number of species exist, they are chiefly 

 Andropogonese. Two or three Osbeckias exist ; a Tradescantia (T. 

 septem clavata) covers certain patches with its bright blue flowers. 

 Three species of Impatiens, two with bright pink flowers are com- 

 mon. Spathoglottis, and Anthogonum occur on the flat focks, which 

 frequently prevail ; Arundinaria is seen every where as well as a 

 Smithia ? with lotus-like blossoms. With regard to birds, the Motacilla 

 or water-wagtails are seen at Churra and at Pundoa, are generally 

 of yellow colour in place of white. 



The woody vegetation consists of Berberis, Viburnum, Bucklandia, 

 Cleyera floribus fragrantis, petalis sepalis oppositis, Myrsine and many 

 others, too numerous indeed to mention. 



The woods, towards Churra, assume that rounded and very deter- 

 minate form, which is seen so commonly in some parts of England, 

 Bucks for instance. None of the trees arrive to any great size. The 

 generality are low, rounded, and stunted. It is in these, that Quercus, 

 Viburnum, and Pandanus may be seen growing side by side. 



October 4th. — Took the height of the station, which I make to be 

 3,921 feet ; temperature 74° ; water boiled at 205° ; in the small metal 

 thermometer 198° ! centigrade 97° ; large metal 205^°; wooden scale 

 204°. 



October 5th. — Left for Surureem. On the first height on which the 

 village is situated, a Potentilla is to be found, and this becomes more 

 abundant as we continue to ascend. The next European form that 

 appears, is Fragaria, the height of which may be estimated at 4,200 

 feet, this too becomes more common as we ascend ; Caryota may be 



