1 835.] Island of Rambree on the Arracan Coast. 21 



professional nature. To a brief geological description of the island, I 

 have added such other matter connected with the condition, and man- 

 ners of the inhabitants as appeared deserving of mention, either from 

 its novelty, or the value it may possess in the scale of utility. 



With respect to the geology of Rambree, I fear there will be found 

 little that is new or interesting ; the rocks that have been hitherto observ- 

 ed are chiefly of the newest kind, or owe their origin to volcanic agency : 

 these with the alluvial and diluvial deposits will be found to cover 

 the greater part of the island. Several mountainous ranges occur in 

 Rambree, and their general direction appears to be from N. N. W. to 

 S. S. E. The elevation of these above the plain is not very great, 

 varying from 500 to 1500 feet for the principal extent, and not ex- 

 ceeding 3000 feet at the highest point. Other smaller hills are seen to 

 branch off from the larger ranges, forming those basin-like cavities 

 that afford space for the rice cultivation. 



Commencing with Khyouk Phyoo*, situated on the N. W. point of 

 the Island of Rambree, I shall proceed from thence along the western 

 coast, passing in gradation to such other places as I may have visited, 

 ^r have become familiar to me from the report of others. 



The military station of Khyouk Phyoo, which takes its name from a 

 village distant three miles from the cantonment, stands upon the 

 verge of a low sandy plain, which extending from the south towards 

 the sea and harbour is bounded on the S. W. by a low sandstone 

 range, and on the E. by a small creek, which separates it from the 

 rich alluvial ground that lies at the base of the Nagadong and Oonky- 

 oung hills. Upon the surface of this plain there exists a vegetable 

 mould not exceeding four inches in depth, and this is succeeded by a bed 

 of sand and shingle ; the sand in some instances assuming a grey or 

 greenish appearance, and the shingle in every respect similar to that 

 found upon the beach. At the village of Townyeen, in front of the 

 parade, a chalybeate spring is supposed to exist from the presence of 

 carbonate of iron ; — the sand in this place has a ferruginous aspect, 

 but the space occupied by it is very limited, the ochre appearing at 

 the surface, and invariably succeeded by the grey sand above alluded to. 



As has been already observed, a sandstone range extends itself on 

 the S. W. side of the cantonment. There are in fact two ranges run- 

 ning parallel to each other, the interval being taken up with patches 

 of rice cultivation ; and both are connected with the reefs extending 

 under the sea to the N. W. and marked off by the Reef Buoy. 

 Taking a direction to the S. E. they are terminated abruptly on the 

 margin of the creek which bounds the station of Khyouk Phyoo on 

 * Kfiyouk Phyoo, White Stones, (Shingle.) 



