3 



The environs of Rangoon belong partially to the tidal, partially to the Irrawaddi zone 

 and the vegetation is therefore in accordance with them. The surrounding spurs and hil- 

 locks are, or have been, covered by low forests on the exposed ridges, while relics of moist 

 forest may be still be observed in protected valleys and ravines. A small but beautiful lake 

 spreads out behind the Dagon pagoda, and the lands around it will no doubt in time become 

 one of the most beautiful parka that British Burma can boast of. In fact a piece of land more 

 favourable for a Botanic garden could not be imagined, having laterite, fresh-water and saline 

 alluvium at command, and it is, in this respect, second to none except Singapore and perhaps 

 to Moulmein, which I have not visited. The lake is remarkably poor in water plants, which 

 are only seen in a few places and more especially in the adjacent tanks. As a conse- 

 quence of this, the waters are muddy. There are also many thorny shrubs and climbers 

 (especially Zizyphus oeiioplia and Caesalpinia) which make it disagreeable to walk under 

 the trees. 



On the alluvium along the tidal choungs and river grow tidal jungles in profusion, exten- 

 ding into tlie lower quarters of the town. 



16th Dec. 1870. Having no hope for the next 5 or 6 days of getting my camp together, 

 I undei-took an excursion to Elephant-point, at the mouth of the Rangoon River. I went down 

 the Rangoon River in a boat and arrived in the evening at my destination. The borders of 

 the river are all occupied by tidal forests while the higher grounds behind them are generally 

 cultivated. 



The following three days, I explored the forests all round. The sea-shore was formerly 

 bordered by mangrove swamps, but the trees have now been cut away to a distance of 2 miles 

 westwards, where fair but almost impenetrable mangrove forests commence. These partake, 

 however, more of the character of tidal forests in which the Kambala (Sonneratia apetala) 

 abounds. This tree, when growing in the sea as is the case here, sends out most curious 

 straight horizontal roots of immense length (I measured some of 70 feet in length) which look 

 not unlike strained cables. Conical erect stumps (young shoots) 1 to 3 feet in height grow 

 out from them at intervals sending numerous roots into the mud. I never observed this 

 elsewhere in the diier and true tidal forests. 



Cable-like roots of Sonneratia apetala. 



The above sketch will give some idea of this curloos growth. The tree is here a 

 prevailing type. Of others only piu (R/iixophorn conjugata) and Acicennia tomentosa giovr 

 here. Bu-tayat (Aegiceras cornieulata) and Aegialitu form the chief undergrowth. 



Eastward of the settlement appears a sort of beach jungle, gradually passing into tidal 

 forests. Here grow mynga ( Cynometra bijuga), Myouk ganyin {Derris siiumta), kathit 

 (Enjthrina Indica) Thimban {Paritium tiliaceum), P/uchea Indica, etc., etc. 



18//* Dec. 1870. Started at 6 p. m. for Rangoon, where I arrived in the night at 

 1 A. M. I succeeded during the following days in securing 2 elephants, and a few Burmans 

 to follow me. 



2Uh Dec 1870- I started with carts for Sang-ye-wa, to await there the arrival of 

 the elephants I had engaged. The road leads oluefly through low forests growing here on 

 lateritic substrata, but they have been much denuded, and are in many cases reduced to 



