AND RIVERS OP INDIA AND EGYPT, ETC. 139 



Note on the Thermal Springs of the Peninsula of India. 



Since my arrival here my friend Mr. Malcolmson has put into my hands the first 

 volume of the Bombay Medical and Physical Transactions, where I find, p. 257, a few 

 notes on the thermal springs in the Konkan, by A. Duncan, Esq. The geographical 

 distribution of these springs corroborates the remark in my paper under the head of 

 thermal springs, viz. " that the majority of the springs termed thermal occur in India 

 at or near lines of great faults." The thermal springs mentioned by Mr. Duncan lie 

 at the base of the Western Ghaut elevation, intermediate between the mountains and 

 the sea, generally from sixteen to twenty-four miles, or thereabout, inland from the 

 latter. The line of springs follows pretty nearly that of the mountains, viz. nearly 

 north and south, and extends from the vicinity of Surat, or about 21° N. lat. to South 

 Rajapore : they are supposed to exist still further south, following at irregular inter- 

 vals the line of West Ghauts to Ceylon. Not less than twelve are known to exist 

 between Dasgaun and South Rajapore, viz. — 



1 at Oonale in the taluk of Viziadroog. 



3 in the Rutnaghirry taluk, at Rajwaree, Tooril and Sungmairy. 



1 at Arowlee in the Konedree taluk. 



1 at Mat, Hatkumbee Mahal. 



1 at Oonale, in the Natoe Pali van Mahal, Severndroog. 



3 at Oonale, Jaffrabad Mahal. 



1 at Savi, in the Ryghur taluk, Bhar Nergannah. 



1 at Oonale, Sankse taluk, Mahal Palee. 



12 total. 



Oonale is the native term for a hot spring. The temperature of all the springs 

 examined exceeded, with a single exception, 100° Fahr., and amounted to 109°. That 

 of Tooril, which unfortunately was not thermometrically ascertained, appeared to Mr. 

 Duncan to be almost at the boiling-point. The water was not found to be mineral, 

 though impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen. A little higher up, on the hill 

 where the thermal spring No. 1 occurs, is a singular intermittent cold spring, over 

 which a temple has been built. It is resorted to by crowds of Hindus during the 

 season when the fountain periodically flows, viz. during the hot months. A more 

 minute analysis of the water, and a more continued series of thermometric observa- 

 tions, are a great desideratum. 



The temperature of a hot spring of Oonye in the jungle between Bansda and Boharee 

 is asserted by the Brahmins to diminish annually at the time of the full moon in April, 

 so as to admit of persons bathing in it at this period, when the natives assemble there 

 in great numbers for that purpose. This assertion was contradicted by the late 

 Dr. White, but the question, I see, has again been raised by the observations of 

 Mr. J. S. Law, of the Civil Service, who found the temperature of the hottest part 

 of the spring to have diminished at this period from 124° to 94° Fahr. It is probable 

 however that future observations on this supposed singular annual variation will set 

 the matter at rest. 



Bombay, July 15, 1842. 



T 2 



