EASTERN HINDOOSTAN. lor 



The T:anks are then filled ; thefe are vaft refervoirs, of a fquare Tanks. 

 form, lined with ftone ; they are defigned to preferve the water 

 during the dry feafon, moiftening the arid grounds and gardens, 

 for bathing and for oeconomical purpofes : there are public and 

 private tanks, and many are founded on the public highways, 

 by the charity of the rich, for the relief of the thirliy tra- 

 vellers, or their cattle, parched with thirft. 



It is remarked that the heat on the open parts of the Car- 

 natic is never fubjeil to violent changes. A iMr. Cbamier kept a 

 regifter at Madras during four years, and found that the heat 

 at the fame hour, fame day, and fame month of each year, va- 

 ried but little.. In unufual heats and colds of particular feafons, 

 the whole fcale of temperature, from its moft oppofite ex- 

 tremes, did not exceed 36 degrees, viz. from 64 to 100, which 

 Mr. Cbamier obferved but once in the courfe of the four years; 

 four-fifths of the time being in a temperature above 76 and 

 below 90. In the interior parts of the Carnatic, during the hot 

 months, every perfon who expofes himfelf without doors at 

 noon, fuffers a great degree of heat, and the thermometer rifes 

 to 136 degrees, fometimes higher; yet this temperature is not 

 only compatible with life, but even with the active fundlions 

 of men, for in the midft of it armies march with all their cum- 

 brous equipments ; forts are eredled or demoliflied ; and a heat 

 that rifes 60 degrees above the fummer-tcmperature of the 

 BritiJJj iflands, is unable to rellrain the efforts of men engaged: 

 in war, commerce, or amufement. 



In the dry feafon a beautiful clear fky prevales,.and the fir- 

 mament feems to glow with fire. In the rainy feafon the fun 

 is fometimes hid for weeks together, and the earth over- 



fhadowed ■ 



