a 



gl8 RIVERS. 



tersea for an extent of seventy miles ; so that when the 

 -river is full passengers look down on each siJe as from a 

 lofty eminence into the subjacent country. Durmg the 

 swollen state of the river the tide loses totally its effect in 

 counteracting the stream, and in a great measure its ebbmg 

 and flowing, except very near the sea. The following is a 

 'table of the°gradual increase of the Ganges and its branches, 

 liccording to observations made at Jellinghy and Dacca :— 



At JellinghT. At Decca. 



Ft. In. Ft. In... 



^ iiaiayitrose ::::"::;; 9 Iw.w.'.w.'.l t' 



June ■ 



July 



The first half of August. 



12 6 5 6 



4 1 U 



32 6 14 3 



These observations were made in a season when the 

 -waters were higher than usual ; so that we may take 31 

 feet for the medium of increase. The inundation is at its 

 heio-ht, and continues without diminution for some days 

 before the middle of August, when it begins to run ott ; 

 for althoucrh great quantities of rain fall in the flat coun- 

 tries durin<T August and September, yet by a partial cessa- 

 tion of the rains in the mountains there happens a dehciency 

 sn the necessary supplies. The quantity of the daily 

 decrease of the river is nearly in the following proportions : 

 — Durina the latter half of August and all September, from 

 .'three to'' four inches ; from September to the end of iXo- 

 •vember, it gradually lessens from three inches to an inch 

 and a half; and from November to the latter end of April, 

 the decrease is only half an inch per day at a medium. 

 These proportions must be understood to relate to puch 

 parts of the river as are removed from the influence of the 

 tides. The decrease of the inundation does not always 

 keep pace with that of the river, by reason of the height 

 of the banks ; but after the beginning of October, when 

 the rain has nearly ceased, what remains of the water is 

 quickly evaporated, leaving the lands highly manured, and 

 in a .state fit to receive the seed after the simple operation 

 .cif ploughing. . , 



The quantity of sediment contained m the water ot tnc 

 Ganges, according to Rennell, is truly astonishing. ' A 



