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that the three crews had to unite their strength to drag the 

 boats one by one over the shoals. 



315. Monday, 23rd February 1874.— Thermometer, 73° at 6 

 a.m. ; I called, and had a chat with the royal hpoongyee to-day, and 

 presented him with a carpet, some pieces of muslin, candles, and 

 scent : he sent for some leaves of different plants for me to name, 

 amongst which were peppermint, Poinsettia pideherrima, Jatropha 

 midtijida, Granadilla (Passiflora edulis), the fruit of which the Bur- 

 mans eat, he stated: Iberis odorata, Celosia cristata, Tegetes erecta, 

 and some roses (tea), all of which excepting the latter, had been 

 cultivated from seeds presented by Mr. Henri. I was also shown 

 a root of a tree, the Kakhyens are said to poison their spears 

 with ; he did not know the name, but gave me a specimen. I tried 

 the effect on dogs ; it was very slow in its action, though death 

 ensued within three days causing great pain to the poor animal, 

 for the first four hours after the poison was inserted. I next called 

 on the head hpoongyee, who resided at the opposite end of the 

 town, and gave him a few presents ; his monastery was crowded with 

 the Kantee mountaineers from the amber mines that had come down 

 with their annual tribute, and among whom, white muslin gong 

 bongs were being distributed. They amused themselves watching the 

 machinery of an eight-day clock, from which the face had been 

 removed as being useless. The old hpoongyee was remarkably 

 reticent, so that I did not trouble him very long. 



316. Tuesday, 24th February 1874.— Thermometer, 72° at 6 

 a.m. ; thunder-storm overnight, accompanied by rain. I sent Yan 

 Sing to the Governor, requesting the favour of an interview ; but 

 the reply was, he would not be visible until the next day, and that 

 arrangements had already been made for a guide to accompany me. 

 In the evening he sent over a present of sweets and two spears, and 

 begged I would allow him to see my revolver, breech-loader, and 

 other fire-arms, which I did. Made all arrangements for a start 

 the next day. 



317. Wednesday, 25th February 1874.— Thermometer, 72° at 6 

 a.m. ; heavy fog up to 10 a.m. I called on the Governor according to 

 appointment, and was introduced to my future chaperon ; certainly, 

 he had not a prepossessing appearance. By request, I stated the 

 route I proposed to take which was up to Kamine, thence to the 

 amber mines through the Hokong Valley, round south by the 

 serpentine mines and back to Mogoung via the Endawgyee Lake 

 and choung of the same name. The Governor at once put his veto 

 on my proceeding to the amber mines, stating he did not consider 

 the country in that vicinity had sufficiently settled down since the 

 recent rebellion, to warrant my going there with any degree safety. 



