﻿10 ON THE COURSE OF THE GANGES 



ftopped by the diverfion of the principal ftream into 

 another channel ; as an ifland of confiderable extent 

 has grown up oppofite to the fide encroached on, and 

 may, in time, form a junftion with the main land above 

 it, in the manner I have already pointed out. Should 

 this take place, the river which now runs in a fouth- 

 vefterly direftion from Turtipour towards Sooty, will 

 refume a direfclion more analagous to the general line 

 of its courfe through Bengal; and the land which it 

 has carried away, by encroaching on its weftern bank, 

 will be gradually reftored. 



The alteration which appeared in the great rivef 

 near the inlet of the Baugrutty, or Coffimbazar river, 

 at Molmngunge, was no lefs confpicuous ; the main 

 ftream having receded confiderably from that place 

 within my remembrance, and a large ifl.and having 

 been thrown up, which is already cultivated and inha- 

 bited. The river was encroaching on its Eaftern bank, 

 and appeared to be gaining ground again towards 

 Gour ; the walls of which city, it is well attefted, were 

 formerly waflied by the Ganges. 



Another confiderable gathering of iflands had taken 

 place between Rajemahl and Oodanullah ; and the 

 principal Itream which, by the maps, would appear 

 to have rua formerly clofe to the latter place, was 

 not, at the time of this furvey, nearer than 2^ miles. 

 The if! and neareft. to Oodanullah was feparated only 

 from the main bank by a narrow branch, which was 

 then fordable, and which extended to a confiderable 

 dillancc both above and below that place. This ifland 

 was only cultivated in part, the reft of the lands being 

 overrun with a ih'izk jungle^ in which I was informed 

 were deer, wild hogs, buftaloes, and tigers.* 



At 



* Here I brought to and pitched a tent, to ohferve the eclipfe of the 

 moon, on the 14th of December, 1796, I had occafion alfo to traverfe a 

 part of the ifland. The hills which were in view, diverfified the profpeft, 

 •while the tinkling hells of the cattle returning to their pens, at the clofe of 

 day, had a rural, and pleafing eifecl. The lerenity a.nd awful Uillnefs of 

 the enfuing night, which was interrupted only by the wild notes and calls 

 of various birds in the neighbouring thlckcfs, contributed altogether to 

 render this place one of the molt lingular and romantic abodes which I can 

 w^l remember. 



