MINBU  , a

district and division of Upper Burma . The district has an area of 3299 sq. m., and a population (19o1) of 233,377, showing an increase of 8% in the decade and a density of 71 inhabitants to the sq. m . The district may be said to consist of low plain-land towards the Irrawaddy, and of undulating country inland rising higher and higher westwards towards the Arakan hills . Between the plain and the Arakan Yoma range is a distinct line of hills running north and south, and usually called the Nwa-Madaung hills . The submontane valleys are largely cultivated, but are deadly except to those born in them . The chief streams besides the Irrawaddy are the Mon, the Maw, and the Salin, which are largely used for irrigation . At Minbu town the Irrawaddy is 3 miles wide, with many islands and sand-banks . There are considerable fisheries along the Irrawaddy and on the Paunglin lake, which is a lagoon fed from the Irrawaddy . The rights are sold yearly by public auction, and realize an average of r000 . Oil has been discovered near the mud volcanoes of Minbu, but it seems to lie at too great a depth to be profitably worked . There is a large area of reserved forest in the district . The chief crops raised are rice, gram, millet, beans, peas, sesamum and tobacco .

The betel-

vine is largely cultivated along the Mon River . The district, which was in a chronically disturbed state before the annexation, was not reduced till two years afterwards, many officers losing their lives, among them Phayre, the first deputy-commissioner . The annual rainfall varies greatly over the district . It is very considerable on and under the Arakan Yomas, and very slight towards the Irrawaddy . The thermometer rises to over roo° in the hot months, and the mean of minimum in December is about 49° . MINBU, the district head-quarters, stands on the Irrawaddy . It had a population of 5780 in 1901 . The river steamers in the dry season can come no nearer than two miles to the south of the town . The division includes the districts of Thayetmyo, PakOkku, Minbu and Magwe . It has a total area of 17,172 sq. m. and a population (1901), of 1,076,280, showing an increase of 8% in the decade and giving a density of 63 inhabitants to the square mile . It bestrides the Irrawaddy . (J .

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