B O OTA N. 
191 
by an horizontal platform, of nearly equal length : thus the centre is, 
of course, raised very much above the current, and the whole bridge 
forms the figure nearly of three sides of an octagon d . Piers are almost 
totally excluded, on account of the unequal heights, and extreme 
rapidity of the rivers. The widest river in Bootan has an iron bridge % 
consisting of a number of iron chains, which support a matted platform; 
and two chains are stretched above, parallel with the sides, to allow 
of a matted border, which is absolutely necessary to the safety of the 
passenger, who is not quite at his ease, till he has landed from this 
swinging unsteady footing. Horses are permitted to go over this 
bridge, one at a time. 
There is another bridge, of a more simple construction, for foot pas¬ 
sengers, formed with two parallel chains f , round which creepers are 
loosely twisted, sinking very much in the middle, where suitable planks 
are placed, the end of one plank resting upon the end of the other, with¬ 
out being confined, which forms a very good footing. There is also 
another mode, by which the people of this country contrive to cross 
deep chasms. Two ropes s, commonly of rattan, or some stout and 
flexible osier, are stretched from one mountain to another, and encircled 
by a hoop of the same. The passenger places himself between them, 
sitting in the hoop, and, seizing a rope in each hand, slides himself 
along with facility and speed, over an abyss tremendous to behold. 
Examples of all these kinds of bridges have occurred in the course of 
our journey, as I have already related. . 
d Wandipore, p. 132. e Chuka, p. 55. f Selo, p. 59. 
* Mountains near Chuka, p. 54. 
