SERPENTINE MINES. 



87 



of a plain bounded to the W. by the Boom, which runs N. and 

 S., the direction being W. N. W. Distance seventeen miles. On 

 our march we met several parties of Shans, Burmese, and Singphos. 

 The path from the village to this is much better, and much more 

 frequented than any of the other parts. Most of the parties were 

 loaded with Serpentine. Noticed en route, both on the plains 

 and on the hills, Teak ; in the latter situations many of the speci- 

 mens were very fine. Another noble Dipterocarpea arborea was ob- 

 served. I observed Drymaria, Vallaris solanacea, and a Spathodia, 

 which is common on the plains. Teak is remarkable for the smooth- 

 ness and peculiar appearance of its bark, so that it seems to have 

 had it stripped off. 



Gathered on the hills Ulmus and Hyalostemma, the petals of which 

 are united into a tri- partite corolla, a Cyrtandracea in fruit, and an 

 Olacinea, floribus tri-sepalis, appendicibus 6 apice fimbriatis, stam. 

 3, sepalis oppositis, racemis erectis. 



April 5th. — Reached the mines after a march of about four hours ; 

 our course was winding, continuing through jungle and small 

 patches of plain, until we reached the base of that part of the 

 Kuwa Boom which we were to cross, and which bore N. W. from 

 the place at which we slept. The ascent was steep in some places, 

 it bore in a N. N. W. direction, principally through a bamboo jun- 

 gle. From a clear space half way up, we had a fine and pretty view 

 of the hills and plains, especially to the S. and S. E. In the former 

 direction, and distant about fifteen miles, we saw on our return, the 

 Endaw Gyee, but we could not estimate its size or figure ; it is 

 evidently however a large sheet of water ; the natives say, several 

 miles across. From the summit, we likewise had a fine view of the 

 country to the E. ; very few plains were visible in this direction. 

 Nearly due east, and about thirty miles oft , was visible Shewe Down 

 Gyee, and this will make Camein nearly due east also, or E. by S. 

 The descent passed through similar jungle, that at the foot being 

 damp. The course continued in a direction varying from S. to W., 

 or rather between these points, through damp jungle. We then 

 ascended another steep hill, but not exceeding 5 or 600 feet in 

 height ; descending from this, and passing through low tree and 

 then bamboo jungle, we reached the mines. 



The road was, up to the base of Kuwa Boom on the W. side, very 

 good, thence it was in general bad ; wet, slippery, much impeded by 

 blocks of serpentine, and foliated limestone (Bayfield) crossing several 



