592 Excursions to the Eastward. [Juliv 



To fill up the vacant spaces in their population the Siamese were con- 

 stantly in the habits of kidnapping their neighbours the Peguers and 

 Burmans ; frequently translating the population of whole villages at 

 once. Then having planted them like exotics on a new soil they vain- 

 ly supposed that strength was added to the state. 



They did not leave off this practice on the Tenasserim frontier 

 until long subsequent to the occupation of Tavoy and Mergui by the 

 British. They have derived one advantage, yet a dubious one, from 

 this system. It is the organization of a body of mercenary Peguan 

 troops. Were not the families of these men strictly retained as hos- 

 tages they could not for a moment be depended upon. 



The population of Salang is almost exclusively Siamese ; the ex- 

 ceptions being Chinese. 



The men are stout, and well enough proportioned ; and the women 

 although not handsome, have fair complexions. 



There are a few priests on the island and a pagoda. These priests 

 or chctnkoo do not seem to be fed so well as those of their sect general- 

 ly are in Siam ; for several were observed returning from fishing with 

 nets, an occupation at variance with the rules of the order. 



On the east side of the island at lAm plira chau point, there are 

 rocks which the Siamese affirm have been hewn into the figures of a 

 dog and a crow. Some pieces of rocks perhaps do bear distant resem- 

 blances to such figures*. However it was not in my power to go to 

 the place. 



Opposite to this point they also imagine that they can distinguish 

 beneath the wave on a rock a Ra-e teen, or impression of the divine 

 foot of Buddha. 



The worship of the dog may be traced to remote antiquity. In 

 Egypt it was prevalent, and in Bruce' s Travels we find that the 

 Kowas or watch dog of the skies is venerated in Abyssinia, not only 

 was he raised by the antients to a conspicuous station in the heavens, 

 but he was placed as the deep mouthed guardian of the infernal 

 regions. In Hindu and Siamese mythology a portion of hell is given 

 over to his power. 



This singular species of worship was once openly professed by many 

 Indo-chinese tribes, but now slight remnants of it alone remain. Thus 

 amongst the Siamese there are many persons who on undertaking a 

 journey or upon any unusual occasion invoke the great dog to avert 



* But on such vague reports I have frequently been induced to walk many 

 miles in the hope of finding statues, inscriptions, &c. and have generally been 

 quite disappointed. 



