423 



The Physical Condition of 



[Oct. 



their contents as their waters from diminished velocity are unable to 

 convey further. This has occasioned a succession of low rounded sand 

 hills, which are particularly to be observed on the south eastern side of 

 Assam, at the tea localities of Cuju, and Nigroo where from the 

 rapidity with which the Noa Dihing and Bora Dihing, fall into the 

 valley, such accumulations are most to be expected. 



There is consequently a general inclination of the surface, in this 

 direction, extending from the main fluviatile trunk, to the foot of the 

 mountains. Along this descent, the Debru, Bora Dihing and Disung 

 rivers flow in very indolent currents from the S. E. where they take 

 their rise, except the first, in the Naga mountains. If we add to these 

 rivers a small stream which rises in a southerly direction, in the same 

 mountains near Gubru-purbut, we have an accurate definition of the 

 limits of the tea plant in Upper Assam. 



Cuju, one of the places in which we found the tea plant, is situat- 

 ed at the source of the Debru ; Tingrai, another tea locality, is on 

 the bank of one of its tributaries ; and Noadwar, a third situation at 

 which we found the plant, is in a tract subject to the inundations of 

 the same river ; and we heard of its existence at Cherrabie, in still 

 closer connexion with this stream. 



At the source of one of the tributaries of the Bora Dihing, we 

 examined the tea plant near the village of Nigroo ; and heard of its 

 existence at the extreme branch of that river, in hills twenty miles 

 south-east of Nigroo.* 



We have also positive information of the existence of the plant, at 

 Borhath, near the foot of the Naga mountains, and close to the source 

 of the Disung; but circumstances prevented our visiting either of the 

 three last m entioned places. 



Of the different streams just noticed, whose banks afford localities 

 of the tea plant, the Debru, if not the most interesting, is at least the 

 one w T ith which we are best acquainted. It rises in the sand hills, 

 or undulating country between the Bora Dihing, and Noa Dihing 

 rivers, and derives its first waters from springs situated between the 

 sand and clay deposites. The stream is languid, and not such as to 

 indicate any great difference of level throughout its course, which is 

 about sixty miles in a N. W. direction, but its banks near its source 

 are from twenty to thirty feet high, and the surrounding country is 



* The colony of plants alluded to is situated at Namroop ; many of our attendents 

 had been there and saw the plant. 



