PART 5 .] 
Gas and mud eniplwns on the Arakan Consf. 
m 
■observed the plieiiomenon and tliought it occurred on the island of Ma-Gyee, wlnle persons 
residing on that island said they had seen the illumination seawards north of the island. 
The Extra Assistant Commissioner then states that afterwards he was informed by a 
Burmese medical practitioner who happened to be at Sandovvay on the night of the occur¬ 
rence, that the explosion took place on a small island situated south of the Tha-dai- 
chyoungvva creek, in the Sandoway district, which statement was corroborated by some 
fishermen who came from Kha-Mongdoon, in the Sandoway district, and who happened to be 
fishing at sea at the time the phenomenon occurred. 
Previous to the receipt of your letter under reply, I had hoard of the occurrence, and 
sent to the Extra Assistant Commissioner of Cheduba for a report on the subject, but the 
outbreak of cholera in the town prevented him from making the enquiry for some time. 
From Major M. C. Poole, IDeputy Commissioner, Sandoway, to the Commissioner of 
Arakan, Akyab,—No. 3-49, dated 29th April 1879. 
In continuation with the subject of your letter No. 95, dated 4th instant, I have the 
honour to mention that when at Htsongoung on the 12th March, I saw the sky brilliantly 
illuminated by an eruption of the volcano at Cheduba. Some of the Burmans with me going 
on shore and looking aci'oss the sea in the direction of Cheduba distinctly saw the flames. 
You have doubtless received further details from the Deputy Commissioner, Kyouk-Phyoo. 
From Major M. C. Poole, Officiating Deputy Commissioner, Sandoway, to the Commis¬ 
sioner of Arakan, Akyab,—No. 3-90, dated Sandoway, 31st July 1879. 
In continuation of the subject contained in my letter No. 3-49, dated 29th April 1879, 
I have the honour to furnish all the additional information I have been enabled to collect 
regarding the volcanic phenomenon observed on the 12th March last. To my observation 
it appeared to emanate from some island lying north-west of Htsengoung; but not taking 
the bearings of the distant flames, I am unable to accurately define their position and 
joined in the hasty but not unnatural conclusion of the other spectators, that it was in 
the direction of the island, of Cheduba. I visited the village of Ka moun-doou on the 
22nd instant, and there held conversation with some who had seen it; the day was 
beautifully clear, and from the slightly elevated shore, the southern extremity of the 
island of Kamreo, the islands of Zagoo, Magroe Kyoon, and Yey Kyoon, all .stood out clear 
and distinct like a chard; in the distance could he distinguished the sharp) serrated outline 
of hills in the island of Cheduba. The head-marr of the village pointed out to me two 
sharp pinnacle-shaped rooks far out on the horizon, and known by the name of Kyouktahon 
which he said he was certain was the exact spot where the flame.s came from. These rocks 
lie south of Cheduba, and when viewed from Htsongoung, in a line with the north of that 
island and Yey Kyoon. This latter islatrd was the scene of a similar occurrence in 1843, 
Captain Hopkinson’s account of which I setrd a copy of. I am inclined to believe that most 
of these rocks and islands contain cavernous hollows irr which petroleum or other gases 
are generated, and that they occasionally ignite and burst out. Several men who were at 
sea that night gave me different versions of what the aspect of the phenomenon was^ to 
them, varied of course by the different positions from which they saw it, I am of opinion, 
however, that the testimony of the headman at Iva-moun-doou is the most trustuoithj, 
and my own opinion iticlim-s to .in endorsement of his view. 
