FROM PATNA TO DARJEELING. 277 
alluvium, as its feeders have through the gneiss of the Sub-Himalaya. 
The contrast between the fertility of the alluvium and the sterility of 
the protruded quartzose and flinty rocks, is very striking, cultivation 
running up to these fields of stones, and suddenly stopping. 
Unlike the Soroock-kund hot-springs, those of Sita-kund rise in a 
plain, and were once covered by a handsome temple. All the water is 
collected in a large tank, some yards square, with steps leading down to 
it. The water, which is clear, pure, and tasteless, though covered with 
gaseous bubbles, has a temperature of 140? (93 am.) Two cold springs, 
also collected in tanks, are but a few yards distant. The surplus warm 
water flows away through a meadow, but presents there no peculiar 
features of vegetation, except the precocious flowering of a Sagittaria 
and Pontederia. Lemna and Azolla abounded, at a temperature of 
about 90°, with the above, Ranunculus sceleratus, and Rumex Wal- 
“chit, the two latter were in no respect forwarder than similar 
specimens along the banks of the Ganges. Crowds of Devotees and 
attendant Brahmins flocked round the well, performing and receiving 
such cures as warm water and faith will always effect. Walked to one 
of the rocky bosses of quartz; but the sun was so powerful that I 
could not go far. It was sterile, but afforded abundance of a columnar 
Luphorbia,* Olax scandens, Guilandina Bonduc, kieppi Halica- 
cadum, a Tragia, and such-like vegetable thermom 
The Sita-kund hot springs were considered (Foden tells me) by 
Mr. Scott Waring, to flow over a bed of Pyrites ; and their varying tem- 
perature he refers to the strength of the current, exposing more or less 
of its surface to this influence. The waters are so pure as to be ex- 
ported copiously, and the Monghyr manufactory of soda-water presents 
the anomaly of owing its purity to Sita’s ablutions ! 
pril 4. On my passage down the river I passed the picturesque 
rocks of Sultangunje : they are similar to the Monghyr rocks, but 
very much larger and loftier, and appear to consist of broken-up 
masses of probably quartz, of excessive hardness. The dip is very high, 
and to about S. W., as far as I could judge, looking from the boat, 
which, from the violence of the current and . gale, swung past, 
merece i s the ue pu ina eme Fea manner. One rock, 
; d with a triple-domed Ma- 
- bie hese columnar pekoers are very typical of dry rocks, whether sandstone or 
others. They grow equally well when planted as hedgings in the alluvium, but never 
are sie of such soil. 
