Nov. 22nd.—­Returned to Loong Mockh.  I cannot reconcile Wilcox’s description of Ghaloom’s old site with the reality, because the scenery is decidedly fine, embracing the Tidding, and the (in comparison with the near surrounding hills) gigantic Laim-planj-thaya, which from this presents the appearance of a vast cone with a peaked summit.  Premsong’s village is obviously at a considerable elevation.  Found another Acrostichum, a Bolbophyllum, a rare Aristolochia foliis palmatis, 7 lobis, subtus glaucis; sapor peracerbus, floribus siphonicis.  The Huttaya I have not seen:  it occurs at a greater distance in the mountains than I have been.  In addition to the plants I have gathered, Asplenium nidus it very common.  Tradescantia and Camelina both occur; Ricinus also occurs, the Mishmees do not however put it to any use; Melica latifolia is common on some of the hills.  Anthistiria arundinacea occurs in abundance.  Likewise a small Areca and Chloranthus.

It is at Ghaloom’s old site that these hills commence putting on an interesting appearance, those previously seen, excepting however Thuma-thaya, being entirely covered with tree jungle; but beyond this site, the lower spaces unoccupied by jungle become much more numerous.  The Mishmee word for bitter, is Khar.  Query—­why should not the name of the plant Coptis teeta, be changed to Coptis amara, although the species of the genus Coptis are probably all bitter?  Sauraussa and Bombax both occur at Ghaloom’s, as well as Pentaptera; Sesamum is used for oil.

I should have mentioned the top of the hill, surmounted in going immediately from Loong Panee towards Ghaloom’s, is occupied almost entirely by a species of Fraxinus.

On my arrival at Ghaloom’s on the 20th, I found that the coolies had played me the same trick as they had done previously, though not to such an extent.  Instead of each man having 20 days’ provisions, scarcely one had more than 5 or 6:  as they had 20 days’ given them in addition to that they would require on the road, it is obvious they must have thrown much away.  Were all the Gams disposed to take one to Lama, it could not be done with Assamese coolies and, above all, Seerings or Ahooms are the very worst; and although often good sized men, they are very deficient in strength.  Nagas and Mishmees are the best, then Kamptees.

I gave before leaving a packet of salt to Premsong, according I suppose to their own custom of proceeding.  Yesterday he went to Roomling, Krisong’s eldest son, and gained his consent.  I mention this to shew how active he is.  He is a friend of the Dupha’s, {42} and to my surprise, told me he saw Capt.  Hannay at Hookhoom, who gave him a jacket, and tried to induce him to shew him the road to Suddiya.  He is certainly the best of all the Gams, and appears to be very liberal.