. We left for Myrung on the 9th, and the greater and all
the first part of the long march was very uninteresting. At Mumbree,
however, there is a decided improvement, and the scenery is very good.
One here notices the occurrence of woods--of oaks, etc., and their form
reminded me somewhat of the woods of Buckinghamshire. No woods of fir
occur; all the trees occurring isolatedly. I should mention that the
country between Molee and Moflong is quite peculiar in geological
structure, abounding in Cyanite, the masses of which are of very
considerable size. I imagine that the vegetation farther on in this
direction would be more rich in European forms than elsewhere, at least
between Churra and Mingklow.

Myrung is certainly far superior in every point to any place that we have
yet seen; and, as the climate is peculiarly fine and the bungalow good,
the degree of enjoyment is as great as can be expected. The features of
the country are similar to those of Mumbree. The groves or woods are
composed chiefly of oaks, intermixed with Magnolias, which attain a very
large size. These forests seem all to have a northern aspect. Orchideae
abound in these woods, and so far as herbaceous forms go, European
vegetation is on the decrease. From the bungalow one has occasionally a
remarkably fine view of the Himalayas, mountains intercepted by large
tracts of very high land, probably Bootan. The coldest weather we have
experienced here was when the thermometer sank to 46 degrees; even in the
middle of the day the sun is not oppressive. It is singular enough, that
the first attempts, so to speak, at a Fauna occur here. The woods abound
with small birds. I shot one squirrel, with a very short tail and
rounded head. Red deer (the Gyee of the Burmese) occur, though rarely.
Two or three solitary snipes may be found during a day's excursion, and
perhaps a brace of quail, which are nearly as large as English
partridges. Pheasants are reported to occur in the woods. I should add,
that both here and at Nunklow snipe of a very large description, and of
the habits of the solitary snipe, are found in small numbers. They are
very brown, as large as a wood-cock, and their cry is that of a common
snipe. Lieutenant Townsend informs me, that these birds are a totally
distinct species. Lieutenant Vetch tells me, that the Khasiyas declare
that they are the females of the wood-cock, in other words, wood-hens,
and that in March wood-cocks abou