season the mahout trees are just leaving they form the chief trees in the landscape near villages. We met quite a few clans on the road going down to Stronger to the market but most of the farmers of the region are Chinese. This is the poorest reptile country (Salween valley) considering its tropical nature & degrees I have visited. The Salween is hot & dry with plenty of cover & rocks but not a lizard is visible along the road & snakes are never seen nor are their tracks met with in the dust of the road. We have in 10 days worth travel secured no snake or lizards only. 31 The route was continued in the early morning. It led down into the valley east of the Salween and for from then Cheng & then went south to the main Yang-chow Tengyukh road, The bridge over the Salween was visible some way away. It is a two span & suspended the two parts with a live boat linken at the middle where the Salween only continues wide