196 Notes on the Military Stations and 



indeed has never equalled that which frequently occurred a 



few years ago in a N. I. corps during its second and third- 



year at Barrackpore. 



Ramree, the head-quarters of another of the Assistants, is 



„ situated about 40 miles from Khyouk Phyoo 



Ramree. J J 



on a small stream about eight miles from its 



mouth, in the centre of wooded hills. It has the reputation 



of being hot, moist, and unhealthy, and for this reason goes 



commonly by the name of the " DeviPs punch bowl." There 



are no means of judging of the effect of its climate on troops, 



as of late years only a few guards have been detached to it 



from Khyouk Phyoo and Akyab. 



The most southerly station occupied by us is Sandoway,, 



_, , which stands on a rich red coloured alluvial 



Sandoway. 



soil in the valley, and on the river of the 

 same name, about eight miles from its mouth. The native 

 town is on one side of the river, and the military cantonment is 

 on the other. The neighbouring fertile plain famous for the 

 tobacco which it produces, is in general well drained, and is 

 encircled by exceedingly beautiful wooded hills, most of them 

 crowned with Pagodas. This lovely valley seems at all times 

 to have been particularly healthy : formerly a whole regiment 

 used to be stationed here, but of late years there have been 

 seldom more than one company of sepoys and two of Mughs. 



II. — Climate and Health of Troops. 



The chief characteristic of the tropical climate of Arracan, is 



the immense fall of rain during a portion of 

 Climate. ° l 



the year : it is generally found to be pleasanter 



to the feelings of an European than that of Bengal, although 

 the rays of the sun are commonly declared to be more power- 

 ful. The climate of the whole eastern coast of the Bay of 

 Bengal appears to be wonderfully uniform as to all essentials, 

 and this makes the contrast between the extreme healthiness 

 of Moulmein, and the reported unhealthiness of Arracan the 



