2 INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES. 



ARACAr?. delineates a fmnll part, or from the capital, Aracati, to the fea. 



From Aracan^ as high as Lat. 26°, with the exception of a fmall 

 portion between Malaac and Munnypoufi where it is traverfed 

 by the great communication from Jva to the northern parts of 

 Bengal, it is marked with a dotted line; from that point the 

 river is diftinguiflied by a certain courfe, which is continued 

 northward, in the kingdom of Thibet, as high as Lat. 30° 10'. 

 All the great tradl it pafles through is level, which makes it 

 liable to annual inundations, from the fame caufes as affedt the 

 Bengal ■und other of the Indian plains. The tides which run up 

 this river are very high ; they come in with a great bore, and 

 rife from fifteen to twenty feet, according to the influence of 

 the moon. 



There is fix fathom water, according to Mr. Ovinglon's ac- 

 count, at the entrance of the river, and twenty farther up, fo 

 that it forms a noble harbour. From the mouth to the capital is 

 about fifty miles; moft of the way delicioufly bounded by woods 

 or plantations, animated by the gambols of the monkey tribe, or 

 the gay flights of numbers of peacocks. The city of Aracan is 

 feated moft fingularly, in a valley furrounded with vaft and 

 craggy mountains. Thefe are aflifled by art, fo as to prove the 

 moft fubftantial fortifications. The entrances are cut through 

 the folid rock, as are the gates of the city. The precipitous face 

 of the mountains ferves for walls; befides thefe, it has a citadel, 

 and other artificial defences. The city is faid to be fifteen miles 

 in circumference, and to contain a hundred and fixty thoufand 

 inhabitants. The regal palace is very magnificent, and highly 

 adorned and enriched with works of raaflive gold. 



In 



