314 A Journey from Bombay to Jeypore. [Sess. 



Silence specially interesting. As far as I am aware, the only 

 other place where Towers of Silence exist is near Poona ; and 

 as these are seldom used compared to those at Bombay, they 

 have less interest to the ordinary visitor — especially as they 

 are on a much smaller scale. The advantages of having a 

 residence in the neighbourhood of these places of funerals and 

 vultures, even although the locality may be beautiful, is not 

 without its drawbacks. The birds of prey do not always end 

 their feast within the Towers, and we heard stories of such things 

 as severed fingers and toes being occasionally found in gardens 

 or upon the verandahs in the morning. In answer to our in- 

 quiries, the attendant who took us round stated that it was 

 thirty years since a young vulture had been seen at the 

 Towers. He said it was not supposed that the vultures bred 

 at any place in the neighbourhood, but went a long distance for 

 that purpose. However, there was always such a large number 

 in attendance, that any that might leave for nidification were 

 not missed. 



It was almost with a feeling of relief that we turned to 

 leave this remarkable place, with its approaches, and enclosing 

 wall and buildings, all so strongly built as to remind one more 

 of a fortress than a house of the dead. As we descended the 

 road leading back to where we had left our carriage, my eyes 

 caught sight of a thin dark line that moved along the path. 

 I saw it was an army of ants. They marched two deep, and 

 appeared to have officers in command. They brought to my 

 recollection the refrain of the familiar song, " March, march, 

 march in good order." It was a wonderful sight. I walked 

 on until I reached the head of the column, with advanced 

 parties thrown out to reconnoitre. I then followed back 

 along the line until I reached its rear, and martial order 

 seemed to reign everywhere. We watched them for some 

 time until their line of route led them into the long grass, 

 where they disappeared. 



Time will not permit of my saying anything more about 

 Bombay and its vicinity, so I must ask you to try and travel 

 in fancy with me for two nights in the train. We spent the 

 intervening day at Ahmedabad and neighbourhood busy sight- 

 seeing ; but to rehearse to you the beauties of its Jain temple, 

 or the marvellous tracer}^ of palm-trees in the white marble 



