The jungle in which the tree occurs is of the usual heavy description, presenting in fact no one feature in particular.  The trees are all of a tropical nature, except towards the foot of the hills, when two species of chesnut and one of alder begin to shew themselves.

CHAPTER XI.

Journey from Assam towards Bootan.

Left Gowahatti on the 21st and halted at Ameengong ghat.

December 22nd, 1837.—­Left at twelve and proceeded to Hazoo, which is nearly due west of Ameengong, and distant thirteen miles.  Road, through grassy plains; much cultivation throughout the greater part.  Passed several villages, and forded one stream.  Hazoo is at the foot of some low hills, on one of which is a temple of great sanctity with the Booteahs.  The hills above this, as well as between this and Ameengong, abound with Cycas, many of which were once dichotomous; on these hills a fleshy Euphorbia likewise occurs, a sure indication of barren soil.  Pea-fowl abound.  The light-blue Jay figured in Hardwickii, Sterna, Haliaetus pondicerianus, Chat, Butcher-bird, Edolius, Plovers, Hoopoe, and Ardea indica, were met with.

December 23rd.—­Hazoo, a large village, extending nearly north and south, all the houses surrounded by trees.  Areca bamboos, Ficus elastica, F. indicoides, F. religiosa, Sapotea (Mimusops) Arborea, Erythrina.  Country to the east very jheely, and one huge expanse of paddy cultivation.  Fine Loranthus, Hingtstha repens.

December 24th.—­Nolbaree, seventeen miles nearly, N. by W., throughout the latter half of the way, the country consisted of highly cultivated plains, intersected by bamboo jungles, etc.  Villages very abundant, surrounded by trees, especially bamboos.  The hedges are made of a dwarf Pandanus.  Crossed four streams, two not fordable.  Grallatores and water-birds innumerable throughout, but especially after passing the Borolia, Bec ouvert or Anastomus coromandelianus, Pelicans, Water-hens, Divers, Ibis bengala, Cigoines (Ardea Pavonia) Syras, Mangoe-bird, large King-fisher, Hawks abundant, of which we observed five species; this is, generally speaking, one of the richest parts of Assam I have hitherto seen.

December 25th.—­Dum Dummia, distance ten miles, direction north, country very open, in parts less cultivated than before, scarcely any jungle towards Dum; this is a straggling place on the banks of a small stream called Noa Nuddee.

The bamboo continues common, as well as Pandanus, Pterocarpus marsupium, Bombax, Diospyros ebenum, which are the most common trees.  Villages are very numerous, but as usual, entirely concealed from view by jungle.