Dec. 1850. CHITTAGONG. SCENERY AROUND. 345 



identical with that at Calcutta. These being all taken at 

 elevations lower than that of the Calcutta observatory, show 

 either a diminished atmospheric pressure, or that the mean 

 level of high-water is not the same on the east and west 

 coasts of the Bay of Bengal : this is quite possible, consi- 

 dering the widely different direction of the tides and 

 currents on each, and that the waters may be banked up, 

 as it were, in the narrow channels of the western Sunder- 

 bunds. The temperature of the air was the same as at 

 Calcutta, but the atmosphere was damper. The water was 

 always a degree warmer than the air. 



We arrived at Chittagong on the 23rd of December, 

 and became the guests of Mr. Sconce, Judge of the district, 

 and of Mr. Lautour ; to both of whom we were greatly 

 indebted for their hospitality and generous assistance in 

 every way. 



Chittagong is a large town of Mahometans and Mugs, a 

 Birmese tribe who inhabit many parts of the Malay penin- 

 sula, and the coast to the northward of it. The town stands 

 on the north shore of an extensive delta, formed by rivers 

 from the lofty mountains separating this district from 

 Birma. These mountains are fine objects on the horizon, 

 rising 4,000 to 8,000 feet ; they are forest-clad, and 

 inhabited by turbulent races, who are coterminous with 

 the Cookies of the Cachar and Tipperah forests ; if indeed 

 they be not the same people. The mountains abound with 

 the splendid timber-trees of the Cachar forests, but like 

 these are said to want teak, Sal, and Sissoo ; they have, 

 besides many others, magnificent Gurjun trees (Dtptero- 

 carpi), the monarchs of the forests of these coasts. 



The natives of Chittagong are excellent shipbuilders and 

 active traders, and export much rice and timber to Madras 

 and Calcutta. The town is large and beautifully situated, 



