26S Contributkyns to Physical Geography. 



I had long imagined that the nature of the soil had some 

 effect in producing this illusory phenomenon ; especially as 

 the chittrdm of the desert is seen chiefly on those extensive 

 plains productive of the saji^ or alkaline plant, whence by in- 

 cineration the natives produce soda, and whose base is now 

 known to be metallic. But I have since observed it on every 

 kind of soil. That these lands, covered with saline incrusta- 

 tions, tend to increase the effect of the illusion, may be con- 

 cluded. But the difference between the sehrab or chittrdm, 

 and the see-Jcote or dessasiir, is, that the latter is never visible 

 but in the cold season, when the gross vapours cannot rise ; 

 and that the rarcfication, which gives existence to the other, 

 destroys this, whenever the sun has attained 20° of elevation. 

 A high wind is alike adverse to the phenomenon, and it will 

 mostly be observed that it covets shelter, and its general ap- 

 pearance is a long line, which is sure to be sustained by some 

 height, such as a grove or village, as if it required support. 

 The first time I observed it was in the Jeipoor country ; none 

 of the party had ever witnessed it in the British provinces. 

 It appeared like an immense walled town with bastions, nor 

 could we give credit to our guides when they talked of the 

 see-kote, and assured us that the objects were merely " castles 

 in the air."' I have since seen, though but once, this panora- 

 mic scene in motion, and nothing can be imagined more beau- 

 tiful. 



It was at Kotah, just as the sun rose, whilst walking on 

 the terraced roof of the garden-house, my residence. As I 

 looked towards the low range which bounds the sight to the 

 south-east, the hills appeared in motion, sweeping with an un- 

 dulating or rotatory movement along the horizon. Trees and 

 buildings were magnified, and all seemed a kind of enchant- 

 ment. Some minutes elapsed before I could account for this 

 wonder ; until I determined that it must be the masses of a 

 floating mirage, which had attained its most attenuated form, 

 and being carried by a gentle current of air past the tops and 

 sides of the hills, while it was itself imperceptible, made them 

 appear in motion. 



But although this was novel and pleasing, it wanted the 

 splendour of the scene of the morning, which I never saw 



