174 DR. HOOKER'S MISSION TO INDIA. 
ast characteristic éxpanses of sand, small ** Saharas," studded with 
capital, doubtless the genii of the “Arabian Nights." The river is 
always dotted with boats of all shapes, mine being perhaps the most 
common kind; the great square, Yankee-like steamers, towing their 
accommodation-boats (as the passengers’ floating hotel is called), are 
the rarest. Trees are few on the banks, except near villages, and there 
isnota Palm to be seen above Patna. Towns are unfrequent, such 
as there are being mere collections of huts, with the ghaut and boats 
at the bottom of the bank ; and at a respectful distance from the bazaar, 
stand the neat bungalows of the European residents, with their smiling 
gardens, hedgings and fencings, and loitering servants at the door. 
A rotting charpoy or bedstead on the banks is a common sight,—the 
* sola reliquia" of some poor Hindu, who departs this life on the banks, 
and thence is committed to the stream. 
A few insects skim the surface, and ‘shoals of small goggled-eyed fish 
are seen that spring clear out of the water, and are preyed upon by terns 
"and other birds, turtle, and the porpoise puffing and tumbling along, all 
forming a very busy contrast'to the lazy alligator, sunning his green and 
scaly back near the bank, with his Icthyosaurian snout raised high above 
the water. Birds are numerous, especially early and late in the day. 
Along the silent shore the hungry Pariah dog may be seen tearing his 
meal from some stranded corpse, whilst the adjutant-bird, with his head 
sunk on his body and ‘one leg tucked up, patiently awaits his turn. 
At night the beautiful Brahminy geese alight, one by one, and seek total 
solitude ; ever since having disturbed a god in his slumbers, these birds 
are fated to pass the night in single blessedness. The gulls and terns, 
again, roost in flocks, as do the wild geese and pelicans,—the latter, 
however, not till after making a hearty and very noisy supper. These 
birds congregate by the sides of pools, and beat the water with vio- 
lence, so as to scare the fish, which thus become an easy prey. This 
fact was, I believe, first indicated by Pallas, during his residence on 
the banks of the Caspian Sea. Mr. Hodgson again observed it and 
communicated it to me. 
Shells are scarce, and consist of a few small bivalves, their compara- 
tive absence is probably due to the paucity of limestone in the moun- 
tains, whence the many feeders flow. The sand is pure white and 
