January 16th.—­Every thing leads me to conclude that the Booteas are the dirtiest race in existence, and if accounts be true, they are equally deficient in delicacy.  Although much beyond other mountain tribes inhabiting either side of the Assam valley, in the structure of their houses, in their clothing, in their language, and probably in their religion, they are inferior to them in other points.  Thus their looms are perhaps really primitive, and of the most simple construction; neither in their weapons of defence are they at all superior.

On the 14th I ascended a peak to the eastward, and certainly 1,000 feet above the village:  on the summit of this, where there were the remains of an old clearing, I observed Pyrus, Acer, Rhus, Tetrantherae, three or four species, Bigonia species picta, Carex, Composita arborea, Pteris aquilina, Kydia zyziphifolia, Saurauja, Eurya, Maesa Panax, Artemisia, Hedyotis scandens, Callicarpa arborea, Camellia, Caelogyne, Oberonia, Otochilus fuscescens, Ficus, Cinnamomum, AEschynanthus, Pholidota, Cyrtandra, Piper, Citrus, Corysanthera, Hypoxis, Tupistra, Bambusa.

Sanicula appeared at 2,500 feet with Bartramea spectabilis, and a small Ophiorhiza, Acer at 2,800 feet, as likewise Rhopala; at 2,000 feet, Costus and Abroma, Thunbergia grandiflora.

January 19th.—­I find that large quantities of Mungista or madder are sent to the plains from this, where the plant is very common; it is exchanged for ill preserved salt-fish, one bundle of madder for one fish.  This fish is of an abominable odour, and probably tends to increase the natural savour of the Booteas, which, considering their total unacquaintance with soap, is sufficiently strong.

P. tells me that the Kampo country is situated north of this, and that it may be reached by a Kampo, in twenty-six days.

The language of the people we are now among, is distinct from that of Assam, as will be observed from the names given to the common grains cultivated in both countries, their principal grain is barley, which is of a fine description; very little cultivation being carried on here, the people drawing all their supplies from the plains.  The following is a list of grains cultivated:  those marked * are Cerealea:—­

Assam. Bootea.

1* Lalkonee dhan,                Yungra, )Panici sp.
2* Legaid ditto,                 Ditto,  )

3 Boot, Tel, Hnam, A Sesamum.

4 Cultivation in Upper Assam, Braime, (Polygonum Fago-
                                         (pyrum, grains
                                         (very large.

5* Bhobosa,                      Khongpo, Eleusine sp.
6* Goomdam,                      Peihnam, Zea Mays.
7  Gellei-ma,                    Linjee,  Phaseoli sp.

[Gradient Bootan:  g204.jpg]

The palm from the cliffs on the road hither is evidently a species of Phaenix, pinnulis inferioribus spiniformibus reticula copiosa, pinnulis liniaribus acuminatissimus, apicem versus canaliculatis reticulo copioso, the height must be about that of a moderate Areca.  No specimens of the trunk, none of flowers and seeds have been brought to me.