166 



JOURNEY TOWARDS ASSAM AND BOOTAN. 



the true appearance of an Elakgnus, seems to be a Loranthus, the 

 first arborescent species yet found, although, as one or two other 

 exceptions occur to parasitism, there is no reason why there should 

 not be a terrestrial arborescent species, as well as a fruticose one. 

 The wood to the east of the bungalow, which clothes a deep and 

 steep ravine, has a very rich flora ; a dryish ridge on the other side 

 of its torrent abounds with Orchideae, and presents an arborescent 

 Gaultheria. The ridge in question may be recognised by its large 

 rocks which are covered with Epiphytes Mosses, etc. In this wood 

 Pothos flammea is very common, climbing up the trees as well as 

 hanging in festoons. The marshes which are frequented by a few 

 snipe, present grasses, the usual Cyperaceae, Xyris, occurs but is not 

 common ; Panicum stagninum ? Eriocaulon spe. fluitans ! Burmannia 

 Rungioidea floribus carneis magnis, Senecionides, Ammannia rotun- 

 difolia, Sphagnum, Carduacea floribus roseis, Limnophilse sp. Mentha 

 verticillata, and the others previously found in similar situations. 

 Goldfussia so common about Churra, recurs here, but rarely. 



The wood abounds with several species of birds, among which a 

 green Bulbul is the most common, then the fan-tailed Parus, with its 

 coquettish airs ; judging from the voice there is a species of Bucco. 

 Both species of Phsenicornis, yellow and crimson, described in Gould's 

 Century as male and female, and the black Edolius are found. The 

 only animals are two species of squirrel, and a genet, of which I shot 

 one, but although it fell from a height of 70 feet or so, I could not 

 succeed in securing it ; it is a lengthy animal, black and grey, with 

 a long tail, climbing trees with great facility. The ring-dove of 

 Churra continues. 



The weather during the four days I stayed at Myrung was unset- 

 tled; fine usually in the morning, but cloudy and showery in the 

 evening; the range of the thermometer from 53°, at 6% a. m. to 68° 

 in the afternoon in an open verandah. The place, however, is not a 

 cheerful one, for the aspect on every side except to the E. and NE. 

 is dreary, marshes and the usual bleak grassy hills being alone visi- 

 ble. My favourite spot in this direction would be the Nungbree hill, 

 the altitude of which, at least of that part over which the road to 

 the village runs, is 5,439, (or probably 5,700,) temperature of the 

 air being **, and water boiling at 202|°. There is a beautiful and 

 very extensive wood at Nungbree, the largest I have yet seen ; it con- 

 sists, at least at the skirts, principally of oaks ; a large Pyrus is also 

 not uncommon. Eurya, and an arborescent Buddlea likewise occur. 



