Khumna and Nulka, 17 = 1,557-0 = 91-10

Monass and Nulka, 9 = 826-2 = 91-8

Monass and Khumna,      26 =            2,386-8 =         91-8
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6)549-8
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91-6

The Monass is called Goongree by the Booteas; its bed is very much inclined, and tranquil pools are of rare occurrence:  it is not fordable in any place, although many of the rapids are not very deep.  The singular bridge is said to be of Chinese construction, and that it serves the purpose of a chief thoroughfare, is a proof of the extremely small population of the country.

Onions grow at Nulka, plantains, sugarcane, tobacco.

Bheirs are common.  Weeping cypress occurs, but stunted.

The entrance to this village on the north-side, is through a square building, the ceiling of which is painted, and the walls decorated with figures of deities, white and red.

[Koollong Bridge:  p230.jpg]

February 6th.—­We descended immediately to the Monass, keeping along its banks throughout the greater part of the march; rising however, over one or two spurs that dip into it.

This river varies a good deal in width, its bed, however, is generally confined, and the stream fierce; occasionally, however it spreads out and becomes here and there more placid.  We continued along its banks, crossing one or two small streams until 12 o’clock, when we reached a large torrent, the Koollong, up which we proceeded three or four hundred yards, but at some height above its bed.  We crossed this by a wooden bridge of similar construction with that over the Deo Panee, and the idea of which is ingenious.  It is nearly fifty yards wide, and about twenty above the torrent.  It is in a bad state, and unprovided with railings throughout the central level part.  The houses into which the inclined supporting beams are fixed are strong, and built on rock.  The fastenings are altogether of cane, and the whole presenting the appearance given in the annexed drawing.

Hence we ascended a black, rocky, burnt-up mountain until we reached Khumna, the ascent amounted to nearly 2,000 feet, and occupied more than an hour.

But little of interest occurred, in fact I never saw a more barren country.  We passed a small village of two or three houses, and two good patches of rice cultivation, one just below Nulka, one at Ghoomkhume, the small village just alluded to.

Pinus longifolia descends nearly to the bed of the Monass, which below Nulka is about 2,200 feet above the level of the sea.  Along this I noticed Hiraea, Eugenia, Vitis, Jasminum, Paederia foetida, Ficus, Loranthus, Scurrula, Desmodium, Aerides, Vanda, Flacourtia, Kalanchoe, Leguminosa, Vanillidora of Solani mookh, Ceanothus, Bergera, Dischidia bengalensis, Leguminous trees, Euphorbia, Bassia, Cheilanthes of Brahmakoond common, Coccoloba cyanea.  In rice khets at Ghoomkurrah, I found Lemna, Cardamine, Rumex of Khejumpa, Cirsium decurrens, Gnaphalia, Datura, Simool in flowers; Spathoidea, Oxalis coriculata, Cannabis, Verbesina.