1337.] 



from Ava to the Frontier of Assam. 



417 



resembling coral, but of a yellowish colour, and these are so much priz- 

 ed by them that they sell here for their weight in gold." 



During hia stay at Hukong, Captain Hannay was visited by many 

 Singphos from the borders of China, from whom he learnt that the 

 Sginmaekha river rises in the mountains bounding the plain of Khanti 

 to the north, and is inclosed on the east by the Goulang-sigong moun- 

 tains, which they consider the boundary between Burmah and China. 

 This river is, on the same authority, pronounced not to be navig able 

 even for canoes, and the most satisfactory confirmation is aff orded of 

 the accounts of Captain Wilcox*. Several smaller streams fall into 

 the Sginmaekha from the Shuedoung-gyi hills on the west, and the 

 name of Siiung is given to the tract of country through which they 

 flow. In this district gold is very plentiful, and it is found, says Cap- 

 tain Hannay, " over the whole tract of mountainous country, above the 

 Sginmaekha. The Chinese visit this locality for the purpose of pro- 

 curing the gold, and give in exchange for it, warm clothing, carpets 

 and opium." 



Of the several routes by which communication is kept up between 

 the inhabitants of Hukong and the countries around, the principal ap- 

 pear to be, one leading across the Shuedoung-gyi range to the eastern 

 Singphos ; a second, called the Lye-gnep-bhum road, winds round the 

 base of the mountain of that name, and leads in sixteen days to Mung- 

 lang, the capital of the Khanti country, which was visited by Captain 

 Wilcox. 



The most important one, however, with reference to trade, lies in a 

 south-east direction from the Hukong valley, from which the district of 

 Kakyo-waimno is not more than eight days' march distant. By this 

 route the Chinese frequently travel, and it affords a very satisfactory 

 proof that intercourse may be held direct with China, without the ne- 

 cessity of following the circuitous route by Mogaung. 



Among the several races of people inhabiting the valleys through 

 which the principal rivers flow T , the Khantis or Khumptis hold a very 

 conspicuous rank: they are represented as a fine, brave, and hardy 

 race of men, and are held in great apprehension by the Burmahs, who, 

 about three years ago, attempted to raise revenue amongst them : the 

 force detached on this duty, however, met with such determined resist- 

 ance, that it was compelled to return, and no subsequent attempt has 



* Although Captain Wilcox (As. Res. vol. xvii. p. 4G;t), relying on the accounts givon 

 by Singphos of this river, appears to have formed rather an exaggerated estimate of its 

 size, his conjectures as to the position of its sources are fully verified by the Statements 

 made to Captain Hannay.— K. B. P. 



