ON THE ROUTE FROM ASSAM TO AVA. 



139 



From this Kioukdweng to the second, the entrance of which (com- 

 ing from above) is at Tsenkan, the features of the country are of the 

 ordinary alluvial description, and the river is a good deal spread out 

 and subdivided by islands, covered with moderate sized grasses. On 

 leaving the second Kioukdweng the same scenery occurs, the banks 

 are generally tolerably high, often gravelly or clayey. About Tsagai- 

 ya, a few miles below the mouth of the Shewee Lee, low hills approach 

 the river, and they continue along one or both banks* at variable 

 distance until one reaches Ava. These hills are all covered with a 

 partial and stunted vegetation, chiefly of thorny shrubs, and present 

 uniformly a rugged raviny and barren appearance. The scenery of 

 the river is in many places highly picturesque, and in the upper 

 Kioukdweng and portion of the second, where there is a remarkable 

 cliff of about 3,000 feet in height, bold and even grand. 



Villages and Towns. — These although numerous compared with 

 the almost deserted 'tracts hitherto passed, are by no means so much 

 so as to give an idea of even a moderate population. From the 

 mouth of the Mogoung river to the Kioukdweng there are several 

 villages, but all are small, mean, and insignificant. Strange to say, 

 they are defenceless, although the neighbouring Kukkeens are dan- 

 gerous and cruel neighbours. Nothing can be more calculated to 

 shew the weakness of the Burmese government than the fact, that 

 the most mischievous and frequent aggressions of these hill tribes 

 always go unpunished, although a short time after an attack the 

 very band by whom it has been made will enter even large towns to 

 make purchases, perhaps with money the produce of their robberies. 



The upper Kioukdweng has a very scanty population, consisting 

 of a distinct race of people called Phoons : who are sub-divided into 

 two tribes, the greater and lesser Phoons. About 12 villages occur 

 in this defile, and Mr. Bayfield says that the population is almost entire- 

 ly confined to the banks of the river : all these villages are small. 



Between the defile and Bamo a good number of villages occur, the 

 largest of which does not contain more than 100 houses, the gene- 

 rality are small and mean. Bamo, which is a place of celebrity, and 

 is perhaps the third town in Burmah, is situated on the left bank of 

 the river, which is here, including the two islands which subdivide it 

 into three channels, about a mile and a quarter in width ; the channel 

 on which Bamo is situated is the principal one. The town occupies 



* Especially on the right bank. 



