At Namthuga a Sambucus, probably S. Ebulus, a Mimosa, Pothos decursiva, Hedychium, Urtica urens, Gleichenia major, Tradescanthia panicularis.  Between this and Kullack Boom Acanthaceae are the most common; Paederia triphylla appears near the Boom, together with Arum viviparum.  Black Pheasants were likewise heard on our route.  On the open halting place, grasses preponderate.  Anthestiria arundinacea, arbusculous Gordonia, and Saurauja, a Laurinea, Styrax, etc.  AEsculus asamicus is common, and profusely in flower, and Pteris as on Thuma-thaya; Musa glauca made its appearance.  From this open space an extensive view is obtained of Hookhoom valley, bounding which occurs a range of hills stretching E.S.E. and W.N.W.  These in the centre present a gap in which a river is seen running S. The view to the E. is impeded by the trees on that face of the hill.  The valley is as usual one mass of jungle, with here and there clear patches occurring, especially to the W. of S., but whether from cultivation or not, I am unable to say.  The Namlunai river is visible; winding excessively, especially to the E.S.E., it appears a considerable stream with much sand:  it passes out towards the gap above alluded to, winding round the corner of the hills.

During the 16th, my attention was particularly directed towards Tea, which was said positively to exist.  I obtained some of the bitter sort, or Bunfullup, but the plant which was pointed out to me as tea certainly was not, although resembling it a good deal.  There is no reason for supposing, that it exists on these hills, and if tea is brought hence, it is I should think a spurious preparation.  The soil is in many places yellow, in many brick-dust coloured.  If the Tea existed in abundance, I must have seen it.

The hills which confine the valley, at least those which are obvious outliers of the Patkaye range, are characterised by conical peaks, and there is a bluff rock of good elevation to the W.S.W. .5 S.

[Valley of Hookhoom:  p71.jpg]

March 17th.—­Boiled water at 206 degrees Fahr.  Thermometer in the air 61 degrees.  Elevation 3270.  Commenced the descent, which continued without interruption to the Loon-karankha, where we breakfasted.  The bed of this, which is a mere mountain torrent, is of sandstone.  Here Ceratostemma variegatum is very common, and has larger, broader and more obovate leaves, than before observed; Polypodium Wallichianum, a Begonia and Orchideae are common on its boulders.  Continued our course at first up a considerable ascent, thence it was nearly an uniform descent.  Crossed the Namtuwa, along which our course lay for a short time.  The latter part was through low wet jungle, along small water-courses, till we reached the Panglai Kha, along which we continued for some time.  Reached our halting place on the Namtuseek about 2 P.M.  General direction E.S.E.; distance about ten miles.  Noticed Podostemon