254 
Some Account of the Cdsiah Hills. 
[Sept, 
at certain seasons. By this road, which would require but little improvement to 
render it practicable for laden cattle, Gawahatti might be supported from Sylhet in 
ten days, and indeed the communication between the former place and Dacca would 
be shorter and easier by this than any other route. Supplies, now that the country 
is under the British Government, will soon probably be more abundant than they 
have hitherto been ; but the difficulty on this head might to a certain extent be ob- 
viated by the establishment at convenient distances of depfits containing paddy which 
might be beaten out as required, and would be in no danger of spoiling ; other arti- 
cles of food might be easily carried on bullocks or elephants, though the latter de- 
scription of cattle should not be extensively employed, as there is often difficulty in 
finding suitable food for them. 
There are not throughout the hills any places deserving the names of towns ; but 
there are a few villages distinguished either by their size or wealth: of these Chera, 
belonging to Dewan Sinh, Molim, Nongklafi, Lambri, and Ndngfin, are the prin- 
cipal. In the choice of a situation for a village, attention seems first to be di- 
rected to the contiguity of water and wood j and, with the view of sheltering the 
houses from the violence of the south and east winds, the northern face of a hill is 
generally preferred. The houses of a village are always separate, each standing in 
its particular enclosure, round which are a few sheds for cattle, &c. They are all 
built of deals, are thatched with grass, and provided with a floor of substantial 
planks : each house has commonly two small doors and a fire-place, but no windows. 
The climate appears to be influenced, not merely by the altitude, but also by 
proximity to the central parts of the range ; those parts which lie near the edge of 
the table land, as Sararim, Chera, Mamalfi, being subject during part of the year 
to mists and heavy falls of rain, which appear to be of less frequent occurrence about 
Molim, and the parts between Lambri and Moflang, for which reason, as well as on 
account of the superiority of the soil and evenness of the surface, these parts would 
seem best suited for the establishment of a Sanitarium. Some idea of the coolness 
which prevails here in the summer maybe formed from the circumstance of cloth 
dresses having heen worn by choice throughout the month of May by all the Euro- 
peans engaged in the late operations, although that month is considered by the na- 
tives, as in other parts of India, the warmest in the year. During the winter, frosts 
are of frequent occurrence, and ice is commonly found in all the rivulets at day-break, 
hut melts in the course, of the day No snow ever falls. 
Of the character of the people little perhaps has been learnt lately in addition to 
former information ; except perhaps that the reputation for bravery which had been 
assigned to them by some observers has sulfered a considerable abatement ; though 
it is not improbable that, with the advantage of superior arms, and under the direc- 
tion of intelligent leaders, they might he fonnd capable of supporting their pre- 
tensions to a military name. Certain it is that, while the majority of the Cdsias, 
during the late contest, showed a want of resolution, some few individuals among 
them behaved with great coolness and determination. 
In their ordinary habits they appear, like most savage tribes, to be idle and inac- 
tive, throwing all labour upon the women, who not only manage the house affairs, 
but work in the fields and perform the heavier duty of porters between the different 
markets. It will be useless here to note peculiarities in the customs and institu- 
tions of the people ; nothing new having been recently learnt on those points, which 
were ably and accurately described by Mr. Scott in bis account of the march across 
the .1 vn tea mountains made by him in 1824. 
In no particular do the Casias of these parts appear to differ from their brethren 
in that country ; but as they seem to have no very strong prejudices and are free 
from the influence of any very powerful superstition, great changes in their charac- 
ter and habits will probable result from a more extended intercourse with Europe- 
ans and natives of the plains. 
The power and equity of the British Government will ensure them the possession 
of their lights, while its moderation will encourage them (under the guidance of 
qualified settlers) to develope the resources of their country, in the quiet enjoyment 
of which, it may he expected, these people will speedily become an orderly, happy, 
and contented race. F, 
Catalogue of Rock Specimens. 
No. 1. A purplish brown, rather compact, argillaceous sandstone, perhaps, more 
correctly, a variety of grey wackd. — From a precipitous face of the neck 
joining the ridge of Mamaloo to the mountain on which Leykanehoo is 
situated, near the centre of the valley, and head of the Purapoongee 
Nulla, about 1000 feet above the plains. 
