1837.] 



the Assam Tea Plant. 



437 



Tingrai.— -Tingrai is the fourth colony of tea plants we visited in 

 Assam (though I have here placed it fifth and last). 



The boundary of this colony, like that of the lower one, is abrupt 

 and defined at that portion which is presented to the direction of the 

 current; while the lower extremity presents a lingering train of 

 straggling individuals extended along the direction of the stream, thus 

 proving the migration of the plant in the course of the currents, from 

 the upper to the lower colony. 



Suspecting from these interesting facts, that both colonies were 

 supplied from some more permanent and extensive location of tea 

 plants, I pursued the extreme channel in the direction of its source ; 

 and in doing so, found that several smaller channels entered it from 

 the S. E., indicating a gentle ascent of the surface in this direction, 

 from whence probably the tea seeds were directed forward from some 

 original depot, to the places just examined.* Having proceeded about 

 a mile into the interior of the forest, I found my attendants who were 

 boatmen, and not much accustomed to expose themselves, where the 

 foot prints of tigers were so numerous, had thought it most prudent to 

 return, and on finding myself alone, I followed their example without 

 accomplishing the object in view. 



Chemical Examination of the Assam Tea Soils. — Soil from the roots 

 of the tea plant at Cuju. Colour light grey, uniformly fine dusty sand» 

 without consistency. Rubbed between the fingers it feels rough, is 

 without smell; surface broken, undulating, excavated, dry and loose, 

 uncovered with grasses, and apparently arid. 



Constituent parts in 200. 



Water, 37 



Fresh fibres, I 



Vegetable matter, 5i 



Silex, 135 



Alumina, - 11 



Oxide of iron, 4* 



1941 



Soil of the neighbourhood, taken about 500 yards beyond the 

 boundary at which the tea plants disappear. Colour, greyish black ; 



* The discovery of an additional colony of tea plants in this vicinity since it was 

 visited by the deputation rather strengthens this view. 



