﻿THROUGH BENGAL. 



23 



On the /mailer Rivers and Branches 

 of the Ganges. 



The tributary ftreams of the Ganges, and the nu- 

 merous channels by which it dil'charges its waters to 

 the fea, refemhle each other in proportion as they 

 differ in fize from the main river. Of the former, 

 the Goggra, the Soane, and the Coofa, may be 

 reckoned among the largeft ; and thefe, on the 

 flighteil: infpefction of the maps, will appear to How in 

 more direct courfes, than any of the fmaller dreams 

 in their vicinity. Of the latter, the Cojfimbazar and 

 Jdlinghy rivers, which, by their junttion, form the 

 Hoogly ; the Comer, or Ija?nutty, which becomes the 

 jfaboona ; the Gorroy, and Chandnah, are the princi- 

 pal ; but of thefe, the two laft are only navigable 

 throughout during the dry feafon.* Such of thefe 

 rivers as are narroweft, are remarkable for their 

 windings; and in this refpe6l they differ materially 

 from the large rivers, all of which have a tendency to 

 run in more direft lines. 



The following Table exhibits a comparifon of the 

 relative differences in the lengths of their courfes, in 

 given fpaces. 



B 4 



In 



* There have been inHances of all thefe rivers continuing open in their 

 turns m the dry feafon. The Jdlinghy ufed formerly to be navigable 

 during the whole or greateft part of the year. The Cojfimbazar river was 

 navigable in the dry feafon of 1796 ; and the JJfumutty continued fo for 

 feveral fuccelTive years ; but experience has fhesvn thai they are ncnc of 

 them to be depended on. 



