, but is, compared with the Burrumpooter a
confined river. Since our arrival here it has sunk several (say five or
six) feet, and no longer looks the noble river it did on our arrival.

The sandbanks when they do exist are either naked, or clothed with
partial and not gigantic grassy vegetation. I have not seen any thing
comparable to the churs of the B. pooter in this respect. The
temperature of the river is not particularly low, and is much higher now
than during the rise. From Bamoo the opening of the Kioukdweng is not
conspicuous, nobody unacquainted with the course of the river would
imagine that it passes through the range of hills to the N. and NNE. The
highest hills visible are to the east. They are within a day's journey,
and are clothed to their summits. Some appear 3000 feet high.

Low hills inhabited by wild Khukeens, are visible nearly all around,
except perhaps due west. The wild fierce nature of these people is
attended with a great extent of mischief, quite unchecked, without
eliciting even precautionary measures on the part of the Burmese
Government.

There are a few angles in the Bamoo stockade, and these exist because a
straight line cannot be preserved; and large torches are placed out on
levers for illuminating the enemy, and loop-holes are cut through the
timbers; watch-houses are likewise placed at certain points. There are
two rows of _pangahs_ or fences outside, but not the Singpho pangahs.
Notwithstanding all this the river face is quite defenceless.

The soil is dry and sandy, and cultivation is carried on principally on
the churs. Pumpkins and Gourds are abundant; Yams, (Dioscorea,) not very
good. Rice is sold at the usual price, a basket full for a rupee. The
town is dirty, and not kept in any order.

_May 6th_.--We left Bamoo, and in three hours reached Kounglaun, a
rather large village on the left bank, containing 100 houses, many of
which are respectable, better indeed than any in Bamoo. It contains many
small ruined pagodas. A gigantic tree grows within the stockade, which
is a very poor one. Punica Granatum, and Beloe, were the only plants of
interest observed in the neighbourhood.

We passed several (six or seven) villages, none except one with more than
thirty houses; the one alluded to had sixty. All the houses continue
small. The river is here much subdivided, and in many places shallow;
sandbanks are common. Vegetation of banks is almost entirely Gramineae,