It was dichotomous, but only once.  The rings formed by the scars of the foot stalks, as well as those of the fruit stalks, were most distinct on the two branches only, and gave them a very rich and less elated appearance.  The examination of this specimen only strengthens me in my opinion derived chiefly from examination of those in the Botanic Gardens, that these rings which certainly afford the age of each branch, one being added of either sort every year, are not to be distinguished in the stem below its division.  So that after all, Brongniart is only half-wrong, although he is ignorant of the saving clause.

I may add, that we were on the hills about thirty-eight days, of which seven and a half were rainy, a proportion of 1 in 5.5.

On the 2nd December, our party left Gowahatty for Suddiya, on the morning of the 4th I proceeded in advance in Captain Matthie’s express canoe for Tezpoor, which place I reached on the evening of the 6th, and at which I met with a most kind reception from Captain Matthie, Principal Assistant to the Agent to the Governor General, and in Civil charge of the district of Durrung.  Tezpoor possesses many advantages over Gowahatty, from which place it is about 120 miles distant, that is, following the river.  It is situated on the banks of what was once a portion of the Burrampooter, but which is now nothing but a nullah, nearly dry at the present season.  It is a completely new place, {12} Captain Matthie having arrived here about a year since, at which time it was a complete jungle.  Some small hills run along the side of the nullah, on one of which Captain Matthie’s house is situated.  The clearings have already reached to a considerable extent, and there are two good roads for buggies.  The great advantage it has over Gowahatty consists in its freedom from fogs, which evidently hug the Meekur hills on the opposite side of the Burrampooter, bearing about E.S.E. from Tezpoor.  It is perhaps owing to the proximity of these hills that Nowgong until 10 A.M. appears completely enveloped in fog, while all round Tezpoor it is completely clear.

From this place the view of the Himalayas and of the intervening Bootan hills is very fine.  The chain is of considerable extent, and presents three grand peaks, of which the most westerly one is the largest.  They do not appear very distant, and are distinctly seen at this season at all times of the day.  They are more soft and picturesque towards evening, at which time the different shades are better developed.  The degrees of ascent of the Bootan hills are well shewn; the hills forming the lowest range being of no considerable height.  It is at once obvious, that the ascent into Bootan from this place would occupy several days.

[Captain Mathie’s Cutcherry:  p12.jpg]

The view to the S. and S.S.W. is barren enough, and is completely flat; the country presenting nothing whatever but high grass, with an occasional peep of the river.  That to the north is, owing to the Himalayas, very striking and picturesque.