388 
BOOTAN. 
approach without any ascent, is rendered one of the most unhealthy 
parts of India, from a variety of causes. 
The whole, a perfect flat, is at all times wet and swampy, with a 
luxuriant growth of reeds, long grass, and underwood, in the midst of 
stagnated water, numerous frogs, and insects. The exhalations, from 
such a surface of vegetable matter and swamps, increased by an addi¬ 
tional degree of heat from the reflection of the hills, affect the air to a 
considerable extent, and render it highly injurious to strangers, and 
European constitutions. 
The thermometer at the foot of the hill, mid-day 86°, fell to 78° at 
two o’clock, the time we reached Buxaduar, and that hour of the day 
when it is generally highest. 
The soil and appearance of the ground, in ascending the hill, are 
materially changed. See many loose sparry stones, and rock contain¬ 
ing iron: Two springs, conducted from a distant height by spouts, 
are very pure and good water, without any mineral impregnation. The 
mountains in view covered with forests of trees, rendered useless from 
their inaccessibility : those peculiar to the country, are known to the 
natives by the names ofBoumbshi, Toumbshi, and Sindeshi; besides 
saul timber, bamboo, and plantains. 
May 12 to 2, 1. Buxaduar. Many of the plants peculiar to Bengal, 
require nursing at Buxaduar. There is one very good banian tree. In 
the jungles, met with the ginger, and a very good sort of yam; saw 
some pomegranate trees in good preservation; shallots in great per¬ 
fection ; a species of the Lychnis, Arum, Asclepias, natives of more 
northern situations, and of little use; a bad sort of raspberry, and a 
