378 HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL 



scarce, Bhangans, red pepper, cucumbers, water melons, Fapeyas^ and RahtdluSf 

 are very plentiful. 



Sugar-cane grows most luxuriantly, and might be cultivated to a great 

 extent. 



The indigo plant is as rich and flourishing as any in Bengal, but the art of 

 manufacturing it is unknown to the inhabitants, and, consequently, the culti- 

 vation of the plant is almost entirely neglected. Oil from the Til plant, is pro- 

 duced in considerable quantities in the plains, but mustard-seed oil, is chiefly 

 used. Cotton and tobacco are cultivated on the banks of the hillstreams. 



The staple articles of produce are rice and salt. In plentiful seasons, 

 rice used to sell for three Mug rupees the hundred arries, or thirty maunds, 

 and the latter from fifteen to eighteen arries. 



The cultivation of rice may be carried to any extent, and as the 

 population increases, will be extended, and tend not only to render the 

 climate and country more healthy, but, becoming an article of great trade, 

 will encrease the revenue considerably. 



Black Pepper grows wild at Aeng and Sando'way, and if cultivated, might 

 become an article of trade, and yield a handsome revenue to Government. 



Lime-stone is to be had in abundance on the islands of Ramree, Cheduba 

 and Jaggu, and as the soil of the country answers for brick-making, there 

 will be no difficulty in introducing brick-buildings into these provinces j 

 during the rule of the Mugs and Burmese, no one was allowed to build 

 brick or stone houses, those materials being appropriated solely for the con- 

 struction of temples and the repair of fortifications : all the houses were 



