TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
69 
are chiefly composed of clay-slate, but that lime¬ 
stone is also found. This island, among the Bur- 
mans, is celebrated for its fertility; and at present, 
small as its population is (about nine thousand in¬ 
habitants), it is the most populous part of Marta¬ 
ban . Its principal, and indeed almost only produce, 
is rice; which is so cheap, that it has been com¬ 
monly sold at the fate of half a rupee for a basket 
of flfty-six pounds weight, which is about two 
shillings sterling. Small European vessels have 
taken in cargoes at this rate, and even lower. In 
sailing along the coast of the island, nothing is 
to be seen but a low mangrove jungle, and a 
stranger would suppose that the whole island was 
in fact covered with forest. This mangrove, 
however, is but a narrow belt; and shortly after 
we had entered the creek last night, extensive 
plains presented themselves, extending to the 
range of hills : these had recently been cultivated 
with rice. All the large villages on Balu are 
situated on creeks, penetrating several miles into 
the island. These afford a most convenient com¬ 
munication with the coast, and contribute mate¬ 
rially to the cheapness with which its staple pro¬ 
duct is exported. 
Our return to Bengal having hindered our 
excursion to the Saluen and Gain rivers, as well 
as prevented us from visiting other parts of the 
province, I shall endeavour in some measure to 
supply the deficiency, by the insertion of the 
