Page:Provincial geographies of India (Volume 4).djvu/51

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RIVERS
35


part of its course between steep rocky banks which rise in places from 3000 to 5000 feet above the river level. A little below the junction with the Thaungyin, navigation is peremptorily checked by the impracticable rapids of Hatgyi. Though many plans have been suggested, it seems unlikely that means of utilizing the Salween for steamer traffic will be devised. It is, however, of great value as a timber floating stream, bringing to the depot at Kado above Moulmein teak from the forests of the Shan States, Karenni, Siam, Thatôn and Amherst. The beauty of its scenery has often been celebrated.

Mèkong. Although the Burmese kingdom extended across the Mèkong, all territory to the east of that river has long been abandoned. The Mèkong now forms part of the boundary of the Shan States dividing Kēngtūng from French Indo-China. After flowing for many miles parallel to the Salween, it turns eastward and discharges its waters into the China Sea.

Sittang. The Sittang or Paunglaung, a river of some importance, rises in Yamèthin and traverses the Tenasserim Division from north to south, passing the towns of Toungoo and Shwegyin and dividing Pegu from Thatôn, pursuing a course of 350 miles to the Gulf of Martaban. At uncertain times, a bore or tidal wave runs up from the sea, at a height of 9 feet and the rate of 12 miles an hour, with disconcerting effect. This bore is well described by Caesar Frederick. It is still as vigorous as ever and has cut through the Sittang-Kyaikto canal which in consequence has been abandoned.

Minor rivers in Tenasserim are the Great Tenasserim, Lenya, and Pak-chan in Mergui; and the Tavoy river in the district of that name.

In Arakan the only important river is the Kaladan which rises in the Chin Hills as the Boinu. It follows a tortuous course through the Chin country and the Lushai Hills; thence more regularly southward through Northern Arakan