November 1st, 1836.

“I here write from the foot of the ‘dreaded’ Mishmee Hills.  I left Suddyah on the 15th October, and have already been to Bramakoond, where I spent three days.  I miss you much; you would have been delighted with the place, which is nothing but rocks and hills.  I am recruiting my resources for a movement into the interior of the hills, in which I shall follow Wilcox’s route, taking with me 15 coolies, for whom I am collecting grain.  I have already made considerable collections, chiefly however in Botany, with a few stones and birds.  I hope before my return to have seen Coptis teeta in flower, and to have proved that the Beese is different from that of Nepal.  I have already seen numbers of the Mishmees who are civil people.  I have however had great difficulties with the Chief of the Khond, who though apparently friendly, will, I fear, do all he can to hinder me from getting to Ghaloom, with the Gham of which place I wish to have a conference.”

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Noa Dihing Mookh:  January 20th, 1837.

“I have just returned from the trip to the Lohit much sooner than I expected.  I saw nothing of any consequence except rapids which are horrid things, and make one quite nervous.  I made a beautiful collection on the Mishmee mountains, of which more anon.  Many of the plants are very interesting.  I was however worked very hard, all my people being sick:  I had even to wash my own clothes, but I fear you will think I am grumbling:  so good-bye.”

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Loodianah:  11th December, 1838.

“I arrived here in 14.5 days, notwithstanding some delays on the road, and have put up with Cornet Robinson, Acting Political Agent.  I am not pleased with the up-country, and would rather live in Bengal, for I cannot abide sandy plains and a deficiency of vegetation.  Loodianah is a curious place, very striking to a stranger, the town is large, built under official direction, and consequently well arranged in comparison with native towns:  there is much trade carried on in it, and it has the usual bustle of a large town.

“Capt.  Wade’s house is well situated on a rising ground, and the demesne is a pretty one.  Otherwise the country is ugly enough, and very bare, yet it is here well wooded, in comparison with what I hear of Ferozepore.  Along the face of the hill near the town, a nullah flows, abounding in fish, of which more anon.  The rock pigeons, or grouse, are very abundant, and there are two species, one remarkable for the elongated side-feathers of the tail.  Both are beautiful birds, but very difficult of access.  Crows, kites, vultures, adjutants, herons, Drongoles, sparrows, parrots, etc. remain as before, but most of the less common birds are different from those to the south; the most European are genuine starlings; and, to my memory of eight years back, identical with those of Europe.  I have already got thirty to forty species of fish.  Cyprinidae, are by far the most common; one loach, and one of Macrognathus.