VOL. LXXI.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 41 



Jellinghy rivers, unite and form what is afterwards named the Hoogly river, 

 which is the port of Calcutta, and the only branch of the Ganges that is com- 

 monly navigated by ships. The Cossimbuzar river is almost dry from October 

 to May ; and the Jellinghy river is in some years unnavigable during 2 or 3 of 

 the driest months; so that the only subordinate branch of the Ganges, that is 

 at all times navigable, is the Chundnah river, which separates at Moddapour, 

 and terminates in the Hooringotta. 



That part of the Delta bordering on the sea, is composed of a labyrinth of 

 rivers and creeks, all of which are salt, except those that immediately communi- 

 cate with the principal arm of the Ganges. This tract, known by the name of 

 the Woods, or Sunderbunds, is in extent equal to the principality of Wales; 

 and is so completely enveloped in woods, and infested with tigers, that if any 

 attempts have ever been made to clear it, they have hitherto miscarried. Its 

 numerous canals are so disposed as to form a complete inland navigation through- 

 out and across the lower part of the Delta, without either the delay of going- 

 round the head of it, or the hazard of putting to sea. Here salt, in quantities 

 equal to the whole consumption of Bengal, and its dependencies, is made and 

 transported with equal facility: and here also is found an inexhaustible store of 

 timber for boat-building. The breadth of the lower part of this Delta is upwards 

 of 180 miles; to which, if we add that of the two branches of the river that 

 bound it, we shall have about 200 miles for the distance to which the Ganges 

 expands its branches at its junction with the sea. 



It has been observed before, that the course of this river, from Hurdwar to 

 the sea, is through a uniform plain, or at least what appears such to the eye: 

 for, the declivity is much too small to be perceptible. A section of the ground, 

 parallel to one of its branches, 60 miles in length, was taken by order of 

 Mr. Hastings; and it was found to have about Q inches descent in each mile, 

 reckoning in a straight line, and making allowance for the curvature of the earth. 

 But the windings of the river •;. jre so great, as to reduce the declivity on which 

 the water ran, to less than 4 inches per mile.* The medium rate of motion of 

 the Ganges is less than 3 miles an hour in the dry months. In the wet season, 

 and during the draining oft' of the waters from the inundated lands, the current 

 runs from 5 to 6 miles an hour; but there are instances of its running 7, and 

 even 8 miles, in particular situations, and under certain circumstances. 



Commonly there is found on one side of the river an almost perpendicular 

 bank, more or less elevated above the stream, according to the season, and with 



* M. de Condamine found the descent of the river Amazons, in a straight course of about I860 

 miles, to be 1020 English feet, or 6-j- inches in a mile. If we allow for the windings, it comes out 

 nearly the same as the Ganges (which winds about I A mile in 3, taking its whole course through the 

 plains), namely, about -1 inches in a mile. — Orig. 



VOL. XV. G 



