on the above route of 75 miles, would at the rate of 7 men to one house, and 12 houses to each village, amount only to 840, but I think that 1,100 or 1,200 would be a fairer estimate.  From Kuttack-bhoom, as I have mentioned, a great portion of the valley is distinctly seen, and nothing meets the eye but jungle, broken here and there by the waters of the Namtunai:  not a clearing is even visible; instead of a population of 30,000, as has been stated I should imagine that the whole valley of Hookhoom does not contain more than 12,000.

The above population consists almost entirely of Singphos and their Assamese slaves, and these last form a considerable portion.  This was particularly evident at Wulla-khoon, where they certainly out-numbered their masters.

The Singphos of Hookhoong resemble exactly those located in Assam:  they are however less given to opium eating.  They are of the same indolent habits, and content themselves with cultivating sufficient grain to keep themselves from starving.  The women wear the Thumein, or Burmese dress, a costume which is entirely unknown among the Singphos of Assam.  The most superior men I saw belonged to the Lupai tribe, from the east of the Irrawaddi; they had come to Meinkhoon for the purpose of procuring amber.  In manners and dress they resembled the Shan-Chinese, they were provided with firelocks, in the use of which they were certainly adroit.  The usual weapons of the Hookhoong Singphos are dhas and spears.  I saw very few muskets.

The behaviour of these people was throughout civil, and perhaps friendly.  Their hatred of the Burmese is excessive, the visits of the armed forces of this nation being most harassing and oppressive.  They are sub-divided into tribes, among whom there is but little unanimity.  The Dupha Gam is much disliked, as he is considered the cause of the visit of the Burmese.  His power has been much exaggerated; he is not capable of bringing 500 men into the field.  So unpopular was he, that it was reported to Mr. Bayfield, that he was to be cut off immediately the Burmese force had left the valley.

In giving the foregoing low estimate of the population of the valley, I believe I have taken into consideration every circumstance of importance.  The occurrence of several old burial places on the route, some of which are of considerable extent, might be considered by some as a proof, that the population has undergone a decrease; but I conceive that it is sufficiently accounted for by the wandering habits of the people.

Capabilities.—­The greater part of the valley is well adapted for the cultivation of rice, and as the soil is generally rich, approaching in external characters to that of some parts of Upper Assam, particularly Muttack, it is capable of supporting a large population.