4(5 l'HTLOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [ANN0 1781. 



rain water over that of the river ; as the slow rate of motion of the inundation, 

 which does not exceed half a mile per hour, is of the remarkahle flatness of the 

 country. 



There are particular tracts of land, which, from the nature of their culture, 

 and species of productions, require less moisture than others ; and yet, by the 

 lowness of their situation, would remain too long inundated, were they not 

 guarded by dikes or dams, from so copious an inundation as would otherwise 

 happen from the great elevation of the surface of the river above them. These 

 dikes are kept up at an enormous expense ; and yet do not always succeed, for 

 want of tenacity in the soil of which they are composed. 



During the swoln state of the river, the tide totally loses its effect of counter- 

 acting the stream; and in a great measure that of ebbing and flowing, except 

 very near the sea. It is not uncommon for a strong wind, that blows up the 

 river for any continuance, to swell the waters 1 feet above the ordinary level at 

 that season : and such accidents have occasioned the loss of whole crops of rice.* 

 A very tragical event happened at Luckipour in 1763, situated above 50 miles 

 from the sea, by a strong gale of wind conspiring with a high spring tide, at a 

 season when the periodical flood was within a foot and half of its highest pitch. 

 It is said that the waters rose 6 feet above the ordinary level. Certain it is, that 

 the inhabitants of a considerable district, with their houses and cattle, were 

 totally swept away; and, to aggravate their distress, it happened in a part of the 

 country which scarce produces a single tree for a drowning man to escape to. 



Embarkations of every kind traverse the inundation : those bound upwards, 

 availing themselves of a direct course and still water, at a season when every 

 stream rushes like a torrent. The wind too, which at this season blows regu- 

 larly from the south-east, favours their progress ; insomuch that a voyage which 

 takes up 9 or 10 days by the course of the river when confined within its banks, 

 is now effected in 6. Husbandry and grazing are both suspended ; and the pea- 

 sant traverses in his boat, those fields which in another season he was wont to 

 plow; happy that the elevated site of the river banks place the herbage they 

 contain, within his reach, otherwise his cattle must perish. 



The following is a table of the gradual increase of the Ganges and its branches, 

 according to observations made at Jellinghy and Dacca. 



In May it rose, at Jellinghy. . 6 ft. inc. At Dacca C ft. 4 inc. 



June 9 ') 4 <)" 



July 12 (>' 5 6 



In the first half of August. ... 4 1 11 



In all 32 U 3 



* The rice I speak of is of a particular kind ; for the growth of its stalk keeps pace with the in- 

 crease of the flood at ordinary times, but is destroyed by a too sudden rise of the water. The har- 

 vest is often reaped in boats. There is also a kind of grass which overtops the flood in the same 

 manner, and at a small distance has the appearance of a field of the richest verdure. — Orig, 



