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CHAPTER XI. 

 Journey from Assam towards Bootan. 



Left Gowahatti on the 2lst and halted at Ameengong ghat. 



December 22nd, 1837. — Left at twelve and proceeded to Hazoo, 

 which is nearly due west of Ameengong, and distant thirteen miles. 

 Road, through grassy plains ; much cultivation throughout the greater 

 part. Passed several villages, and forded one stream. Hazoo is at the 

 foot of some low hills, on one of which is a temple of great sanctity 

 with the Booteahs. The hills above this, as well as between this and 

 Ameengong, abound with Cycas, many of which were once dicho- 

 tomous ; on these hills a fleshy Euphorbia likewise occurs, a sure in- 

 dication of barren soil. Pea-fowl abound. The light-blue Jay figured 

 in Hardwickii, Sterna, Halisetus pondicerianus, Chat, Butcher-bird, 

 Edolius, Plovers, Hoopoe, and Ardea indica, were met with. 



December 23rd. — Hazoo, a large village, extending nearly north 

 and south, all the houses surrounded by trees. Areca bamboos, Ficus 

 elastica, F. indicoides, F. religiosa, Sapotea (Mimusops) Arborea, 

 Erythrina. Country to the east very jheely, and one huge expanse of 

 paddy cultivation. Fine Loranthus, Hingtstha repens. 



December 24tk. — Nolbaree, seventeen miles nearly, N. by W., 

 throughout the latter half of the way, the country consisted of highly 

 cultivated plains, intersected by bamboo jungles, etc. Villages very 

 abundant, surrounded by trees, especially bamboos. The hedges are 

 made of a dwarf Pandanus. Crossed four streams, two not fordable. 

 Grallatores and water-birds innumerable throughout, but especially 

 after passing the Borolia, Bee ouvert or Anastomus coromandelianus, 

 Pelicans, Water-hens, Divers, Ibis bengala, Cigoines (Ardea Pavonia) 

 Syras, Mangoe-bird, large King-fisher, Hawks abundant, of which 

 we observed five species ; this is, generally speaking, one of the 

 richest parts of Assam I have hitherto seen. 



December 25th. — Dum Dummia, distance ten miles, direction north, 

 country very open, in parts less cultivated than before, scarcely any 

 jungle towards Dum; this is a straggling place on the banks of a 

 small stream called Noa Nuddee. 



