380 



The river Ganges is much larger than the latter, and 

 receives, at no considerable distance from its original 

 influx into the sea, the whole of the Boorampooter, 

 likewise a very large and extensive river, from 

 thence they flow, in one body into the sea, or Bay of 

 Bengal. 



" About 220 miles from the sea, (says Mr. Ren- 

 well,) commences the head of the delta of the Granges, 

 which is considerably more than twice the area of that 

 of the Nile."* 



What the nature of the soil is on the borders of 

 these rivers, it is not easy to determine. Most pro- 

 bably, licwever, it is similar to that of most other 

 countries, and composed of every kind. 



And as to the origin of their inhabitants, the com- 

 mencement and progress of population, or the degree 

 and extent of improvement and cultivation, in the 

 earlier periods of time, it is perhaps impossible to 

 ascertain with any degree of accuracy. Nevertheless 

 it is highly probable that these countries were the first 

 on which were bestowed the labours of men, as it is 

 said they inhabited the borders of the Ganges, f and 

 that these inhabitants were the first to inculcate les- 

 sons on agriculture and practical husbandry. 



As population increased and extended to the east, 

 the west, and the north, we may reasonably conclude 

 that the improvement and cultivation of the lands wer 



* Rennell's Map of Hindostan, page 338. 

 t See Kirwan's Essays. 



