Q4 Geological and Statistical Account of Rambree. [Feb. 



first two or three ranges had heen overcome, we approached the vil- 

 lage of Leppang, the site of an old stockade, and scene of an encoun- 

 ter between the Burmah chief Nemyo-sooyah*, and the Ramoo Rajah 

 Keembrang , in which the latter was shamefully defeated. From thence 

 it is but a short distance to Tseembeeyah and Kehsree, the latter pret- 

 tily situated on the plain, and surrounded with clumps of trees. 

 Among the inhabitants of Kehsree are a class of people engaged in 

 the oil manufacture, and who shall receive further notice hereafter. 

 The oil is prepared chiefly from the TMl, and the mills are in every 

 respect similar to those used in Bengal. Beyond Kehsree is Koyan- 

 downgX with the two guardian temples on its summit : and to the 

 right of that, the " Red HillX" of Rambree, almost destitute of ver- 

 dure, and answering in appearance to that predicated by its name. 

 Tiger traps of a novel construction were very numerous in the ghats 

 leading to the town. Rambree has on several occasions been much 

 infested with tigers ; they have been known to come into the town 

 shortly after dark, and entering the houses, carry off the inhabitants. 

 Cattle and poultry are even now continually taken away, and it is con- 

 sidered very dangerous to sleep outside upon the michaun. To faci- 

 litate the description of one of these traps, I have endeavoured to re- 

 present by a drawing the several parts of which it is constructed. 



A, is a long§ pole possessing great strength and elasticity, which is 

 bent and held down by B, a peg connected with C, a good thick cane 

 rope. The peg B, is fixed with great care between the bars D, and E, ; 

 the bar D, having been previously fastened to the two posts F, F, which 

 are driven into the ground. That part of the platform marked G, is 

 brought into contact with the bar E, and the peg B. H, is a 

 noose laid upon the platform, and I, a heavy wooden cylinder so 

 nicely attached to the cane rope that the least jirk causes it to fall. 

 The platform is laid upon the path frequented by the tiger, (generally 

 a gap in a fence, or a ravine,) and carefully concealed with grass and 

 leaves. The animal treads upon it and it gives way, disturbing the bar 

 E, and peg B, on which the pole springs up to its natural position, 

 bringing the wooden cylinder with such violence upon the arm of 

 the tiger, (already caught in the noose,) that it is generally broken by 

 £he concussion. This cylinder covers that part of the leg that has 

 been entangled in the noose, and is of great use in preventing the 



* Afterwards Meyo-woon at Rambree. 



f Called " St. George's HiW by the troops quartered at Rambree during the 

 sarar. The temples were built by the Burmah Meyowoon Yeh-jutta-gong. 

 % Already noticed in vol. 2nd (1833), Journal Asiatic Society. 

 § A large branch of a tree sometimes serves as well. 



