T. S. Ellis — Low- Water Channels in Rivers and Estuaries. 447 



Hangman Point, the large Sursuthee Khali («) enters on the convexity, 

 and there is a well-defined channel on this side only. Lower down 

 three Khalls {h, c, d) appear at the convexity on the opposite side, 

 and there is a well-defined channel there. Then in the Koffri Reach, 

 on the right side, three streams appear, not, however, named, and 

 the channel is on this side. Then at the inlet of the Cherrial Khali 

 (^) the channel is on the left side, and remains so until it passes round 

 Achipur Point, where the drainage from a large area comes in at the 

 convexity on the opposite side. Here the channel remains until it 

 has received the Champee Khali; then, with tributaries on both sides, 

 there is a 'bar' in mid-stream. Then the large E-oyapur Khali (^) 

 comes in at a convexity on the opposite, left, side. There it remains 

 until, with the Royapur Bar intervening, it is transferred to the right 

 side, where the important Hog River is received. 



Close to the left bank, opposite Hiraguni Point, an extension of 

 the deep-water channel is seen pointing upwards. Such features are 

 common in tidal rivers and estuaries ; they are formed by the tide, 

 unable to cut a passage through, before it has risen to such a height 

 that it flows over the shoal, and a passage through it is unnecessary. 

 As they are tongue-shaped and tell of the direction of the tide in its 

 first onset, I call them tongues of the early tide. A similar feature less 

 frequently seen is caused by the stream. There is one on the opposite, 

 right, side, where the tongue points downwards. These may be called 

 tongues of the low- water stream. A little lower on this side is seen 

 a double tongue, manifestly due to the tide. Here I may add that 

 these tongues generally extend a little beyond the entrance of a side- 

 stream, as if the tide or stream found an easy course along a channel 

 kept open by the side-stream, but could get only a little beyond it. 

 This is seen on the map in each case. These features seem to indicate 

 the great importance, in the management of a tidal river, of securing, 

 as far as possible, harmony between the direction of the stream and 

 that of the tide. 



Fig. 2, continuing the river downwards, shows features corre- 

 sponding to those above. The Hog River is, clearly, the influence 

 which keeps open the main channel on the right side until the 

 influence of a large stream {Ti), coming in on the left, brings it over to 

 Fisherman's anchorage. The direction of the tide, directly up the 

 channel, is well shown by a tongue in the shoal just below Brul Point ; 

 similar features are seen just below the mouth of the Damuda River. 

 Here the channel is still on the left side, which the large Fulta Creek 

 may explain ; the Damuda River, which is said to have driven the 

 stream over to the left, does not really seem to have current enough 

 to keep quite clear any part of its own outlet. Now we come to the 

 region of the James and Mary Shoal, which Sir F. Treves ^ mentions 

 as "the most villanous of all shoals in this evil river." If a ship 

 touches it she sinks in the soft mud and disappears. All the engineers 

 seem to be agreed that a single, permanent channel should be on the 

 right side. I ventured to express an opinion, without knowing the 

 fact, that tributaries did come in on the left side and kept open 



1 " Inner Side of the Lantern." 



