From this Kioukdweng to the second, the entrance of which (coming from above) is at Tsenkan, the features of the country are of the ordinary alluvial description, and the river is a good deal spread out and subdivided by islands, covered with moderate sized grasses.  On leaving the second Kioukdweng the same scenery occurs, the banks are generally tolerably high, often gravelly or clayey.  About Tsagaiya, a few miles below the mouth of the Shewe Lee, low hills approach the river, and they continue along one or both banks {139} at variable distance until one reaches Ava.  These hills are all covered with a partial and stunted vegetation, chiefly of thorny shrubs, and present uniformly a rugged raviny and barren appearance.  The scenery of the river is in many places highly picturesque, and in the upper Kioukdweng and portion of the second, where there is a remarkable cliff of about 3,000 feet in height, bold and even grand.

Villages and Towns.—­These although numerous compared with the almost deserted tracts hitherto passed, are by no means so much so as to give an idea of even a moderate population.  From the mouth of the Mogoung river to the Kioukdweng there are several villages, but all are small, mean, and insignificant.  Strange to say, they are defenceless, although the neighbouring Kukkeens are dangerous and cruel neighbours.  Nothing can be more calculated to shew the weakness of the Burmese government than the fact, that the most mischievous and frequent aggressions of these hill tribes always go unpunished, although a short time after an attack the very band by whom it has been made will enter even large towns to make purchases, perhaps with money the produce of their robberies.

The upper Kioukdweng has a very scanty population, consisting of a distinct race of people called Phoons:  who are sub-divided into two tribes, the greater and lesser Phoons.  About 12 villages occur in this defile, and Mr. Bayfield says that the population is almost entirely confined to the banks of the river:  all these villages are small.

Between the defile and Bamo a good number of villages occur, the largest of which does not contain more than 100 houses, the generality are small and mean.  Bamo, which is a place of celebrity, and is perhaps the third town in Burmah, is situated on the left bank of the river, which is here, including the two islands which subdivide it into three channels, about a mile and a quarter in width; the channel on which Bamo is situated is the principal one.  The town occupies rather a high bank of yellow clay, along which it extends for rather more than a mile, its extreme breadth being perhaps 350 yards.  It is surrounded by a timber stockade, the outer palisades being well pangoed; the defences had just undergone repair owing to an expected attack from the Kukkeens.  It contains within the stockade rather less than 600 houses, (the precise number was ascertained personally by Mr. Bayfield,)