444 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 114. 



The 18th compartment shews specimens of a coal or lignite found 

 in the northern parts of Tang-wa circle, and not a mile distant from 

 the beach. It lies a few feet above the level of the watercourse formed 

 between the first and second lines of hills, dipping deeply under the latter, 

 which rise 800 or 1,000 feet above it. Its site is therefore I fear a very 

 bad one ; perhaps a matter of no great moment as its qualities I also 

 fear partake of the same character. It is traceable in an east and west 

 direction about 20 yards, the vein, 3 feet and a half thick, is a series of 

 small layers from the 16th part of an inch to 3 inches in thickness, 

 separated by their lamince of ferruginous sand. It has been dug into by 

 the natives, and perhaps two tons of it excavated, from which the speci- 

 mens shewn were selected. On the spot, I could not make it ignite, it 

 only smouldered. 

 No. 19, shews a specimen of the Petroleum of the wells of Krae-roue. 

 As it may not be considered a matter very foreign to the subject under 

 notice, and is inserted in furtherance of the same view, that of, it may be, 

 usefulness to any concerned. I venture to conclude with a slight notice 

 of what 1 experienced of the climate of Chedooba in traversing it, through- 

 out all parts from the beginning of January to the middle of March, 1841 ; 

 a period which no doubt constituted, with the previous month of December, 

 the healthiest time on the Arracan Coast, or at least when exposure to 

 weather may best be borne by the European. As is the case in all coun- 

 tries subiect to periodical rains, the time of commencement, and taking 

 off of these, will also here be doubtless found the most unhealthy. 



But previous to the arrival of the Monsoon, I think that, to all Eu- 

 ropeans, exposure to the direct rays of the sun, (often done incautiously 

 or unnecessarily) would be found almost a certain cause of illness, and 

 this more particularly during the months of March, April, and May. 

 when its heat is most violent. But exposure of the above sort must 

 at all times, I think, be deemed highly imprudent, especially when the 

 remedy of a chattah is so easily procured. 



This effect may be constitutional and peculiar, but I am inclined to 

 think, that any exercise in the climate of these parts requires for its 

 support good generous food. In the 65th Regiment N. I., while on the 

 coast for nearly two years, mortality from fever among the troops was 

 fearful in amount, among the officers no case of fever occurred. I do 

 attribute the contrast to the difference of living, in which the statemeut 

 made to me by the Medical Officers and others of that Regiment seems to 

 bear me out, viz., that the troops died from the consequences, more than 

 the fever itself, that in spite of all cordial and strengthening food, and 



