DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0031
IN THE BURMHAN EMPIRE. 21
appearance of sulphur, nor were the fumes in eva-
poration sulphureous ; the remaining liquid, after
standing forty-eight hours, gave out crystals of
a pure white, and an acid taste, with an earthy
ferruginous precipitate. From the results of the
whole of the experiments I was led to conclude,
that this mineral water was a pure chalybeate, con-
taining iron held in solution by the acid of sul-
phur or vitriolic acid, with a very small proportion
of magnesia and muriatic salt.
November 26. The preparation of my boats went
on so very slowly, that I saw many days would
elapse before I could set off: the members of
government made a great parade of despatch, but
it was mere parade, they seemed to have their
views in procrastination.
December 5, 1796. At five a. m. we left Ran-
goon with the flood-tide ; the general course of the
river was to the north-west, but with frequent and
deep windings, where the reaches on the river
are about 250 yards broad; winding sometimes
less than 100 yards, but Avith depth sufficient, I
was told, for ships. The banks arc low, but
highest on the north-eastern side, and appear well
cultivated, and interspersed with straggling houses.
I had, however, no opportunity of seeing whether
the country is more highly cultivated or more
populous inland. The same contrivance for scaring
the birds from the paddy fields, which is used
appearance of sulphur, nor were the fumes in eva-
poration sulphureous ; the remaining liquid, after
standing forty-eight hours, gave out crystals of
a pure white, and an acid taste, with an earthy
ferruginous precipitate. From the results of the
whole of the experiments I was led to conclude,
that this mineral water was a pure chalybeate, con-
taining iron held in solution by the acid of sul-
phur or vitriolic acid, with a very small proportion
of magnesia and muriatic salt.
November 26. The preparation of my boats went
on so very slowly, that I saw many days would
elapse before I could set off: the members of
government made a great parade of despatch, but
it was mere parade, they seemed to have their
views in procrastination.
December 5, 1796. At five a. m. we left Ran-
goon with the flood-tide ; the general course of the
river was to the north-west, but with frequent and
deep windings, where the reaches on the river
are about 250 yards broad; winding sometimes
less than 100 yards, but Avith depth sufficient, I
was told, for ships. The banks arc low, but
highest on the north-eastern side, and appear well
cultivated, and interspersed with straggling houses.
I had, however, no opportunity of seeing whether
the country is more highly cultivated or more
populous inland. The same contrivance for scaring
the birds from the paddy fields, which is used