Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/27

 I will however venture a few more remarks to make the subject in hand understood. The Pakchan, in my opinion, is an arm of the sea as far as the islands off the entrance of Malliwan river. The upper portion with its many affluents, as far as the conflux of its sources at Krà, has more the natural characteristics of a river than anything else, and should, I think, be considered as such. The longest affluents are those of Malliwan, Chah Hoon, and Klong Nam Noi. These streams annually deposit large quantities of sedimentary matter from the neighbouring mounainous country into the main river, blocking it up with obstructions, whilst the residue is swept seaward. The distance from Victoria Point to Krà, is thirty-nine miles ; and from Spiteful Rock to Krà, forty-nine and a half miles by the bends. The river is straight from Victoria Point, and carries its width of two miles a short distance from Leslic Well, twenty-three miles from its mouth. From this point the river narrows abruptly, and becomes very serpentine as Krà is approached ; there, it is nearly 300 feet wide. One of the bends near Klong Nam Noi is almost a circle. Brackish water in the dry season extends above Krà, and the Attap palm grows profusely on both sides, from Klong Kumoan Lek to Fresh-water river. Klong Kah Yam is the boundary of Rehnong and Muong Krà.

Navigation.—The soundings from the entrance to a short distance above the Malliwan river are very irregular, and the narrow channels amongst the cluster of islands off its mouth intricate. Vessels of twenty-two feet draught, with careful pilotage and an efficiently marked channel, could probably reach as far as Klong Kumaonyie, but no further. From this point the river is shoal, full of obstructions, and navigable only for trading boats.

passes through a perfect conglomeration of hills of irregular altitude, and is not only exceedingly serpentine