36 Geological and Statistical Account of the [Jan. 



Mughs call the animal Ghi, and say, that they are very abundant upon 

 the island, residing in the recesses of the forest. The two deer above- 

 mentioned were seen at the skirts of the jungle, and were evidently 

 returning to their haunts after a night's ramble through the plains. 



There was nothing peculiar in the geological features of the country 

 between Ladong and Oogah. The soil was, as usual, composed of a 

 rich clay, mixed with a small proportion of sand, and sandstone the 

 prevailing rock. The dip of the stratum, wherever a stratification 

 could be observed, being still to the S. S. W. and S. W. parallel to the 

 bearing of the hills. 



Leaving the stubble fields of Ladong, I came once more upon the 

 beach, and could see the village of Oogah beyond me, very prettily 

 situated on a bight of the sea. It was surrounded with tamarind and 

 mango trees, and was on the whole a neat and comfortable looking 

 village. The prospect from Oogah was remarkably fine ; beyond it, 

 on the land side, lay Jeeka, the highest mountain in the island, and 

 immediately opposite to it, separated only by a small channel of the 

 sea, was the island of Cheduba, with its blue hills and undulating 

 plains. A Godoo was at anchor between the islands, and from the 

 reports of the crew who were on shore for water, it appeared that she 

 had come last from Chittagong, and was bound to Bassem, laden with 

 betel-nuts and sundries. The Soogree* of the village had come out 

 to escort me to his house, a snug looking building surrounded with a 

 strong bamboo fence. In front of the house, and under the tamarind 

 trees, a nice michaun had been constructed for the accommodation of 

 travellers, and upon this I lay down and slept until a room with a mat, 

 &c, should be got ready in the Soogree s house for my reception at 

 night. I should have been very well pleased to have slept out in the 

 open air upon the michaun, but for the remonstrances of my host, who 

 pointed out the danger of doing so in a place so much infested with 

 tigers. It was perhaps as well that I did not sleep outside, for a tiger 

 came into the village during the night, and so much alarmed one of 

 the elephants that he broke loose. The old Soogree appeared to be in 

 very good circumstances ; he had a large house, abundance of poultry 

 and cattle, and in addition to these evidences of prosperity, he had 

 two wives. Polygamy is common enough in Arracan. There appears 

 to be no limitation ; a man may keep as many wives as he can afford 

 to maintain. The consent of the first wife should, however, be obtain- 

 ed previous to the conclusion of a second contract. It is seldom that 

 a refusal is given, and equally seldom that attention is paid to it. 

 Retaining the privileges of a mistress, and probably aware of her 

 * The head man of the circle ; he collects the revenue. 



