418 The Question of British Trade with Western China. [No. 4> 



it is, cannot defy a few hardy climbing shrubs holding on to the 

 lines of crevices and ledges between the strata of the limestone. Their 

 roots and winding stems seem from below to be simply stuck against 

 the rock. This imposing cliff is of the shape of a huge wedge, lying 

 on its side, with one sloping face to the east, the other to the south 

 and each exposing an immense expanse of reddish grey limestone 

 streaked with interlacing white veins of ealespar. 



" The great Irrawaddy itself seemed awed into quiet and humble 

 limits as it wound beneath the cliffs of this defile. Actually not more 

 than 200 and 300 yards wide, it looked but 100. The surface tranquil, 

 with no perceptible current, the mighty stream of one of the finest 

 rivers in the world, seemed to hide itself, and pass the mountain in 

 the modest shape of a quiet creek. 



" Beneath the surface, however, the current is as strong and rapid 

 fis it is quiet and gentle above, and it instantly drew the lead from its 

 perpendicular, 



" As to the depth, close to the face of one of the cliffs, the ten- 

 fathom line could not reach ground ; but at another spot I found 

 bottom near the centre of the stream at eight fathoms. 



" At one of the narrowest parts, I found the breadth of the river 

 to be 970 feet, though judging from the eye, I could not believe it 

 niore than 150 yards. This defile is thus narrower, shorter, and more 

 winding than the lower, and affords much more picturesque and 

 imposing scenery, Neither the one nor the other, however, can be 

 any obstacle to steam traffic. Except in the freshes, indeed, these 

 are the safest, and easiest parts of the whole river. The spring rises, 

 it is true, are said to cause very fierce currents, and it is not unfre- 

 quent that boats are lost in the effort to stem them. But steamers 

 of not too great length and of sufficient power, would avoid the 

 dangers that threaten boats poled and towed along the banks, and if 

 able to conquer the flood stream^ could ascend safely in all seasons. 



" The few rocks found in the stream and those projecting from the 

 general line of the banks, are noted in the sketch plan of the river. 

 The most serious of these are at Khyanhma above Thigame, and just 

 below Kowngdounc[ % above the second defile. In both cases, however, 

 there is clear passage for steamers, as indicated in the plan. 



" The general course of the river, described as traced from below, is 

 northwards to Katha and then eastwards, (including several bends to 



