( 3 ) 



Thayetniyo, — both places being in a measure associated with the 

 duty deputed to me. I shall also notice a few of the more interest- 

 ing places passed en route, and describe the process of box-making 

 at Nyoun-goo, the general impression being at present that the 

 articles are lacquer- ware, which is erroneous. 



4. It was in July 1873 I first heard through the Conservator 

 that the Chief Commissioner had conferred on me the honour of 

 carrying out the wishes of the Government of India, regarding the 

 formation of Fieus elastica plantations, and ascertaining the best 

 method for working them in British territory. To facilitate this 

 object, Mr. Eden directed that I should at once proceed to Upper 

 Burma, and examine the forests there, making myself familiar with 

 the general habits of the tree, the soil and locality best suited to 

 it, the different methods of tapping, and the various systems pursued, 

 in order to bring about the coalescence of the caoutchouc. The 

 unhealthiness of the forests and difficulty of travelling during the 

 rainy season, however, proved a barrier to my starting at once, and 

 it was considered expedient to postpone my visit till November. 

 Accordingly, I started on my mission from Rangoon, on the 22nd 

 of that month, in the steamer Ashley Eden, this being her maiden 

 voyage. The strength of my party consisted of one Burman inter- 

 preter and seven Burman peons, three of whom were armed each 

 with an old Brown Bess and half a dozen rounds of ammunition. 



5. The voyage between Rangoon and Mandalay occupied a 



fortnight, which I believe is a little over 

 ^.SiS;* &0m «>? average run at this season ; the 



delay was partly brought about by 

 accidents that occurred at different times, and partly by the low 

 state of the river and shifting nature of its channels, which more 

 ♦than once necessitated the anchor being cast and soundings taken 

 before the navigable channel could be decided on. Each day, as 

 we progressed onwards, fresh charms presented themselves — scenes 

 of interest, not only to the pleasure-seeking excursionist, but 

 equally so to one in search of wealth and knowledge. The scenery 

 becomes bolder and more diversified the further we recede from 

 British territory, until, a few miles south of the Golden City, we 

 unexpectedly find ourselves entering what nearer resembles the 

 Bay of Naples than any other place still fresh in my memory. 

 Just here the river takes an almost right-angular bend, and it is 

 not until the elbow is rounded that the beauty of the scenery is 

 fully apparent. Now we find ourselves steaming beneath the 

 picturesque range of the Sagain hills, studded with Buddhistic 

 buildings, of all forms and sizes. The pagodas, but lately white- 

 washed, and capped with htecs recently gilded, and the dark tripled- 



