Chap. LXXIX. A RIVER ARCHIPELAGO. 
257 
became more hilly and better wooded, being clad 
with retem, besides korna and hdjilij. Numerous 
ponds of water were formed in the hollows, and ante- 
lopes of various species, including that called " dada- 
rit," were observed. Leaving then a path leading to 
a place called Takala, situated at a distance of about 
iifty miles inland, in a south-easterly direction, we 
reached, about a quarter past ten o'clock, the highest 
point of this undulating ground, from whence we ob- 
tained a view over a wild and gloomy-looking forest- 
region, behind which the river disappeared, after 
having enclosed a well-wooded island called Sak- 
kenewen. 
From this higher ground we descended into a fine 
rich vale, the vegetation of which was distinguished 
by a few busiisu, aghanat, or tamarind trees. Emerg- 
ing from this richly-clad valle}^, we again obtained a 
sight of the river — if river it can be called — for seen 
from hence it looks almost like an archipelago or net- 
work of islands and rocky cliffs in the wildest con- 
fusion, the river foaming along through these ob- 
structed passages. For just as it turns round a 
cape, which juts far out to the N.N.W., and is con- 
tinued under water towards the opposite shore in a 
long reef of rocks, forming a sort of semicircle, it is 
broken into several branches by a number of islands, 
through which it makes its way, as well as it is able, 
over cliffs and rocks, in such a manner, that along 
this south-westerly shore there is no idea of naviga- 
tion even during the highest state of the river, but 
VOL. V. s 
