The descent from Buxa is gradual at first and not unpicturesque:  after passing a small chokey about half a mile from Buxa, sandstone of a coarse nature commences.  The descent is very steep, and continues so until within a short distance of a place called Minagoung, at which the bullocks are unladen at least of heavy baggage.  The remaining descent is very gradual, and continues so for several miles.  The march throughout and until the level of the plains is reached, was through tree jungle.  The underwood being either scanty or consisting of grass.

On reaching the plains, the usual Assamese features presented themselves, viz. vast expanses of grass, intersected here and there with strips of jungle.  Reached Chichacootta about 3 P.M.:  distance eighteen miles, of which about fifteen were over either level or very gradually sloping ground.  No villages occurred, and only one path struck off from the Buxa one.  We passed two or three halting places.

The vegetation throughout was subtropical.  At the same elevation as Buxa, noticed Cassia lanceolata, Torenia the common Leucas, Bheir, Solanum quercifolia, Banyan, Alstonia, Styrax, Caryota, Elephantopus, Osbeckia linearis, Herminioides, Wedelia scandens.

At 1,500 feet, Celastrus guttiferoid, Malvacea digyna, of which I found flowers on the path, Koempfera terminal, Antidesma, Anthericum, Echites arborea, Careya, Mimosa scandens, Pavetta, Rubiacea alia, Lepidostachys, Lagerstroemia grandiflora, Leea crispa, Costus, Thunbergia grandiflora, Gordonia, Commelina, Phyllanthus, Briedlia, Dioscorea, Cassia fistula.

As we approached a lower level, the same plants continued:  a Dillenia very common, Urena lobata, Hedera terebenthacea:  the root is in some cases like figs, Spathodea, Nauclea, Sterculia carnosa, foliis palmatis, Dalbergia, Panax, Semecarpus, Rhaphis trivialis, Cymbid. alvifolium, Sarcanthus guttatus common, Apocynea fauce, 10-glandulata, Ixora, etc.

Saul was not common, nor did I see one tree of any size; it commenced about the margin of the Toorai.

Among the grasses forming the underwood of the Toorai and the grassy masses clothing the plains, Sacchara were the most common and the most conspicuous:  next to these a species of Rottboellia.  Sciurus Bengmoria occurred, Hemarthria, Greweia edulis, Leea crispa, Crinum in the Toorai, Viburnum of Sudya, Millingtonia pinnata, Volkameria serrata, Labiata Sudyensis, Mussaenda erecta, humilis, Cinchona, Premna herbacea, Phoenix pumila.

Arrived at Chichacootta, a small village, situated in an open grassy plain, miserably stockaded; and lodged in a good well elevated house.  The following day started and reached Cooch Behar territory, after crossing a considerable but fordable stream.  The contrast between the desolate territories of Bootan, and the sheet of cultivation presented by Cooch Behar was striking.

The same contrast continued until we reached the Company’s territories, and its less cultivated portions along the bed of the Brahmapootra.  The only plant worth notice on the route, was a species of Swertia; the vegetation being almost precisely the same as in Upper Assam.