1838.] The Mergui Coast-line and Islands. 1035 



far a probability of this island being superior to tbe others, that the 

 general features of it although mountainous in parts, are more undulating 

 and diversified in outline, and evidently present a greater proportion 

 of moderately elevated and level land than the others. Lampee is 

 eighteen miles long by seven or eight broad and extends from lat. 1 1° 31' 

 to 1 1° 49' N.. and inside of its south end is " Whale Bay" before spoken 

 of ; there is however no ingress or egress by the north end of the island, 

 except to very small vessels, there being an extensive shallow flat be- 

 tween it and the main, caused by the meeting of the tides. 



" Lampee" has also a very fine anchorage on its eastern side, so easy 

 of access that the Lady William Bentinck surveying vessel suc- 

 ceeded in entering and obtaining shelter after dark, and there lay 

 in perfect security during the continuance of some stormy weather 

 which she was caught in amongst the outer Islands in the month of 

 August. This island is of a curiously curved shape the pearl bank being 

 situated somewhere on the south or concave side of it ; the average 

 breadth of the island is about tw r o miles, the length thirty miles, and it is 

 situated between the parallels of 10° 40' and 11° 0' N. : but the chart 

 itself, will best exhibit the extent and limits of this and the other islands 

 both in latitude and longitude. 



With the exception of one or two settlements near to Mergui, where 

 a few people have established themselves for the purpose of cultivating 

 gardens, and rearing mangosteens, dorians and other fruits, and for 

 fishing, there are no settled inhabitants on any of the islands ; but there 

 are roving tribes who pass from one island to another, living partly in 

 their boats, and in temporary sheds, which they erect with a few sticks 

 and leaves, on the little sandy beaches interspersed amongst the islands. 

 They appear unacquainted with the art of cultivation, and subsist chiefly 

 upon shellfish, turtle, and other productions indigenous to the islands, 

 and the tortoise or rather " turtle shell," bich de mer, and other 

 articles which they collect, they dispose of to the best advantage, and 

 in barter, for a little rice and coarse cloth on their visits to Mergui and 

 other places. 



They are to be found chiefly amongst the outer islands during the 

 fine season, and on the setting in of the rains and fine weather, they 

 return to the inner ones, and for the right to frequent and live upon 

 the islands, I believe they pay a small tax to government, of one rupee 

 per head annually. The term chillone is generally applied to them, 

 but I have understood that there are three or four divisions or families 

 of them, known under different names, according to the part of the 

 archipelago, they confine themselves to : they are a harmless race, badly 

 6 p 



