Chap. LXXVI. BEGINNING OF THE ROCKY DISTRICT. 179 
ledge of granite rocks projected into the water. But 
about 1000 yards below our halting place, the river 
presented a very wild aspect, a considerable rocky 
island, consisting of immense granite blocks, together 
with a rocky ledge projecting from the high bank, 
shutting in half the breadth of the river, and forcing 
it, with a direction from S.30°E. to N. 30° W., into a 
channel of probably not more than 350 yards broad. 
This remarkable place, where the river, when it is 
full, must form a very powerful current, is called Tin- 
alshiden. 
The heat of the day having passed by, we continued 
our march, cutting oiF the bend of the river over a 
ground which was at first bare and destitute of vege- 
tation, but after a while became overgrown with 
stunted talha trees, a few siwak, and a great profusion 
of retem ; till, after a march of two miles, the river 
again approached on our right, being here free from 
rocks and bordered by a grassy lowland richly clad 
with the famous byrgu. On our left, a few tobacco 
plantations gave proof of a certain degree of industry 
on the part of the natives, although on this side only 
a nomadic encampment was to be seen, but on the op- 
posite bank a hamlet appeared. The whole of this 
district belongs to Tin-shenfen. 
As the river takes here a very winding course, 
meandering along between steep banks, we again left it 
at some distance on our right, ascending from a low 
swampy inlet upon higher ground, where we passed 
another Tawd,rek encampment, and then, as darkness 
N 2 
