the forest, with the usual prevalence of parasites,
mistleto, epiphytical Orchids, ferns, mosses, and Lyco-
podiums; and on the ground grow ferns, beautiful
balsams, and herbaceous and shrubby nettles. Bamboos
of many kinds are very abundant, and these hills
further differ remarkably from those of Sikkim in the
great number of species of grasses.
The ascent was at first gradual, along the sides of a
sandstone spur, but at 2000 feet it suddenly became
steep and rocky, and at 3000 feet above the sea tree-
vegetation disappeared, and we commanded a magnificent
prospect of the upper scarped flank of the valley
of Moosmai, with four or five beautiful cascades rolling
over the table-top of the hills, broken into silvery foam
as they leapt from ledge to ledge of the horizontally
stratified precipice, and throwing a veil of silver gauze
over the gulf of emerald-green vegetation, 2000 feet
below. The views of the many cataracts thus precipitated
over the bare table-land on which Churra
stands, into the valleys on either side, surpass anything
of the kind that I have elsewhere seen, though in many
respects vividly recalling the scenery around Bio de
Janeiro. nor do I know any spot in the world more
calculated to fascinate the naturalist who, while appreciating
the elements of which a landscape is composed,
is also keenly alive to the beauty and grandeur of
tropical scenery.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Churra, English station of—Khasia people—Garrow people—Houses—
Habits—Dress —Arms —Dialects —Marriages — Food— Funerals—
Superstitions—Flat ot Churra—Scenery—Lime and coal—Mamloo—
Cliffs—Cascades—Flora of Churra—Orchids—Rhododendrons—Pine
—Climate—Extraordinary rain-fall—Its effects —Gardens of Lieuts.
Raban and Cave—Leave Churra to cross the mountain range—Kala-
panee river—Lailangkot—Boga-panee river—View of Himalaya—Age
of Pine-cones—Moflong plants—Coix—Chillong mountain—Extensive
view—Road to Syong—Broad valleys—Myrung—Kollong rock—Pine-
woods—Features of country—Orchids—Iron forges.
C h u r r a P oonji is sa id , to be so called from the
number of streams in the neighbourhood, and poonji,
“ a village ” (Khas.): it was selected for a European
station, partly from the elevation and consequent
healthiness of the spot, and partly from its being on
the high road from Silhet to Gowahatty, on the
Burrampooter, the capital of Assam, which is otherwise
only accessible by ascending that river, against both its
current and the perennial east wind. A rapid postal
communication is hereby secured: but the extreme
unhealthiness of the northern foot of the mountains
effectually precludes all other intercourse for nine
months in the year.
On the first opening up of the country, the Europeans
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