1842.] in Ava, to Aeng in Arracan. 1153 



Nature indeed could not have formed a more formidable, or easier- 

 to-be-defended barrier than the Arracan mountains, every step pre- 

 senting a Pass or hill, which might be defended by a handful of men 

 against hundreds, and the jungle offering a sure asylum to the van- 

 quished. 



The water at Nariengain was so difficult of access, that the cattle 

 could not approach it; but it was of good quality, and in quantity 

 sufficient for our consumption. It is quite a mistaken idea, that 

 no water exists in these mountains, there being numerous springs in 

 all the hills; but these rising about halfway from the summit where 

 the road runs, the difficulty of access to them is very great. This 

 might be avoided by cutting paths to and from them ; and digging re- 

 servoirs of sufficient size to water the cattle, would always ensure a 

 supply, as the spring in a short time would replenish them.* 



At night we were enveloped in a cloud, and the air became much 

 colder, but having no thermometer, I could not ascertain the difference 

 of temperature, and the want of proper instruments in like manner 

 prevented my fixing the height of the mountains. 



The great range is called the Komah Pokong Teoung,t and runs in 

 a direction about S. 20 W., falling to the East in a succession of paral- 

 lel ranges, and on the West more abruptly to the sea. The mountain 

 on which Nariengain is situated is named Morang-mateng-toung. 

 In early times the Kicaams used to prowl about this road in search of 

 plunder, and attack and murder any traveller they might chance to 

 meet with ; but as their numbers were never very great, the merchants 

 who formerly passed this way united their forces, and forming little 

 caravans of from 30 to 300 men, placed themselves beyond the power 

 of these savage marauders. A great trade was carried on before the 

 war between Arracan and Ava, in which it is said 40,000 people 

 were annually employed. The former country exported Indian and 

 European manufactures; such as velvets, broad cloths, piece goods, 

 silks, and muslins, and beetlenut, salt and other articles, the pro- 



* This is most perfectly correct. For many years it was believed that Nariengain 

 was devoid of water. Captain Pemberton and others failed to find it, but when Captain 

 Bogle and a party visited it in January 1839, it was found in abundance, and of most 

 delicious quality. 



t In Arracan, these mountains are named Yeohmatoung. 



