﻿OF A SAM. 173 



pects of ploughed fields, harvests, gardens, and 

 groves. All the island before described lies in D<ic- 

 shincul. From the village Saugereh to the city of 

 Ghergong is a space of about fifty coss, filled with 

 such an uninterrupted range of gardens, plentifully 

 stocked with fruit-trees, that it appears as one garden. 

 Within them arc the houses of the peasants, and a 

 beautiful assemblage of coloured and fragrant herbs, 

 and of garden and wild flowers blowing; together. 

 As the country is overflowed in the rainy season, a high 

 and broad causeway has been raised for the conveni- 

 ence of travellers from Salagereh to Ghergong, which is 

 the only uncultivated ground that is to be seen. Each ' 

 side of this road is planted with shady bamboos, the 

 tops of which meet, and are intertwined. Amongst 

 the fruits which this country produces, are mangoes, 

 plantains, jacks, oranges, citrons, limes, pine-apples, 

 and punialeh, a species of amkh, which has such an 

 excellent flavour, that every person who tastes it pre- 

 fers it to the plum. There are also cccoa-nut trees, 

 pepper vines, Areca trees, and the Spdij** in great 

 plenty. The sugar-cane excels in softness and sweet- 

 ness, and is of three colours, red, black, and white. 

 There is ginger free from fibres, and betel vines. The 



DO _ » - 



strength of vegetation and fertility of the soil are 

 such, that whatever seed is sown, or slips planted, 

 they always thrive. The environs of Ghergong fur- 

 nish small apricots, yams, and pomegranates ; but as 

 these articles are wild, and not assisted by cultivation 

 and engraftment, they are very indifferent. The 

 principal crop of this country consists in rice and -\ 

 mash. Ades is very scarce ; and wheat and barley are 

 never sown. The silks are excellent, and resemble 



* The Sadij is a long aromatic leaf, which has a pungent taste, 

 and is called in Sanscrit^ Tejapatra. In our botanicai buoks it beais 

 the name of Malabatbrum, or the Indian Leaf. 



f Masb is a species of grain, and Ada a kind of pea. 



