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SI AM. 303
between fourscore and a hundred leagues in breadth,
and extending on each side of the gulf in the form of
a horse-shoe. The western range of mountains which
stretch down through the peninsula of Malacca, have,
from the gulf, a singularly picturesque appearance,
thus described by Mr. Finlayson :
" An extensive low ground, covered with thick
woods, stretches along the sea-coast. We could here
see abundance of palms growing; the Palmyra appeared
to be the most common. Appearances would
lead us to infer this low ground to be well inhabited.
The lofty mountains in the back ground render this
country singularly picturesque. Sam-rayot, signifying
three hundred peaks, the name by which the Siamese
designate this tract, is expressive of its appearance.
The mountain ranges run in the direction of north
and south. They are very elevated, extremely rugged
on their flanks, as well as summits, projecting into
innumerable bold conical peaks. It is perhaps a singular
circumstance, considering that the direction of these
mountain ranges is from north to south, that they are
steepest towards the east, while of mountains so distri-
buted, it has been observed, that the steepest acclivities
lie towards the west. Another singular circumstance
in the appearance of these mountains, is the insulated
situation of somq of the loftiest peaks, or rather moun-
tains. Three of the latter are perfectly conical, lofty,
and very steep, and their position is perfectly insular,
miles intervening between them and the mountain
ranges from which they stand detached. They are
situated upon the flat, apparently alluvial Already
ground
mentioned. The greater hardness of the
granitic mass in these, will circumstance/'
hardly account for thj