Possibility of transporting them into the Brahmaputra. 203 
and 8 and 10 miles north and south of it. Beyond this to the eastward, in this 
latitude (25° 40" 00',) the country hasnot been explored, being inhabited bythe tribes 
of N/tgos, who are not inclined to let travellers into their country ; but N. and S. of 
Nanclao where the granite rock terminates, the fir trees get dwarfish and are soon 
lost altogether. With regard to the transport of the timbers 1 cannot speak so 
positively, yet I should imagine the. smaller ones below the Sdripani Bridge 
might be got down in the floods, and it is not impossible but what the large ones 
might also. The river has several falls from the bridge for 8 or 10 miles. The 
whole distance in a straight line to where the Sdripdni river falls into the 
Brahmaputra being about 36 miles ; the genera] course of the river being nearly 
N. W. The lower extremity near the Brahmapfitra is known to be navigable for 
10 miles or more, which shortens the distance a good deal. The current in the 
floods is very rapid, and the general breadth in the hills is 60 yards, the depth of 
water varying to extremes, like all hill torrents ; but in the floods the depth is 12 
to 14 feet ; and its velocity may be conceived when it is stated, that the fall of wa- 
ter is 2400 feet in 26 miles, where it enters the plains, and 10 miles further falls into 
the Brahmaputra. 
It would be perhaps worth while to have 2 or 3 specimens brought down, and if 
on examination, they should be found of the proper description for the purpose re- 
quired, the attempt to bring them down into the Brahmaputra might then be made ; 
and I have no doubt, it would partially succeed if made at the proper season. The 
best months would be July, August, and September. 
I shall now refer back to the river to the East of Nanclito, the BarpSni. The 
fir timbers here are, I think, larger than on the SdripSni, by 5 or 6 inches on 
an average. The wood is the same in appearance iu all respects. I shall therefore 
proceed to the nature of the river ; and the probability of transporting the timbers. 
The river in the hills is from 80 to 90 yards broad, sounding through a gulley 
formed by two high ranges clothed with the firs from about die middle of the de- 
scent to the water's edge : this river has always twofeetof water, andhasavery navi- 
gable appearance. The natives say, there are several falls lower down the stream, 
and also assert that the river becomes subterraneous for upwards of a mile, and 
then emerges again. The distance in a straight line into the plains is about 50 miles 
in a direction N. E. where it enters the Copelli river, and a few miles further falls 
into the Callang opposite Clrlidr Chdki : [the river is navigable a short distance be- 
fore it falls into the Cnpelli and downwards into the Callang, and from thence 
into the BrahmapHtra, 12 miles above Gdohatti at all seasons of the year. Not- 
withstanding the tale of the inhabitants about the river running through a hill of 
granite rock, which 1 take to be an idle one, I think there would be a better chance 
of succeeding with the timbers in this river, than the Sori-pfini near Nancldo, 
but nothing for certain can he known until the experiment is tried. 
It may not be. unnecessary to state, that there would he little chance of getting 
assistance from the Jdintia people near the Barp&ni, or the Nancldo inhabitants 
near the Sdri-pSni : the wood-cutters must be sent from the Assam side, at Nan- 
clao. Mr. Scott, the Governor General’s agent, has generally found it necessary to 
purchase the trees before cutting them to prevent dispute, but the sum was quite 
trifling that they asked. 
I shall conclude by mentioning, that several fir timbers are washed down the 
Callang in the rains. 
We have also been favoured with the following extract of a letter from a gentleman 
in the CSsiya Hills on the above subject. 
I send you a specimen of Cfisiva fir. The specific gravity will probably be 
found to vary considerably in different specimens, according to the quantity of resin 
contained in the wood, which is sometimes so great as to render it very heavy. If 
care were taken of the trees, by putting a stop to the annual conflagration of the 
grass that grows under them, they would evidently attain a much greater size than 
those seen by Captain Jones, as they are to be found in the sacred groves which 
are carefully preserved, full 90 if not 100 feet in height. I cannot yet speak posi- 
tively as to the question whether it iS possible to get them floated down any of the 
rivers. The difficulty is occasioned by the beds being blocked up by immense gra- 
nite boulders, under which the water in some places flows, and all the best trees 
are produced where the boulders most abound. I fear, however, that if it were found 
practicable to get them into the Brahmapfitra, the expense of transport to Calcutta 
would prove too heavy ; for as it would be necessary to go a part of the way a-ainst 
the stream, they must either be loaded on boats at J affer-ganj, or sent by sea 
