ylla 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