Chap. VII.] economic geology. 185 



is 200 feet lower than the Ganges at Hurdwar, thus we have still 100 

 feet to depend upon. The Ganges at Gurmuktesur, the nearest point to 

 Meerut, is 300 feet below the same point ; but here, and for long above 

 it, the Kddur valley is cut in the upper strata of the plains' deposits, 

 which we have presumed to be retentive in comparison with those below.* 

 Meerut is about seventy miles in' a direct line from Hurdwar. 



The question might be greatly elucidated by special observation of 

 the many features bearing upon it ; but, even supposing the result not to 

 be altogether favourable, the limits of unavoidable doubt are wide enough 

 to sanction a trial. It would be difficult to over-estimate the value of a 

 free supply of good water at the great military stations. At present I 

 consider the chance a fair one, and I would recommend Meerut as a 

 suitable position for the experiment. 



I know of but one attempt of this kind in the plains of India, that 

 made about twenty years ago in Fort William, at Calcutta. A boring 

 was sunk to about 500 feet, but without success. Coarse gravel was 

 reached at a depth of little over 100 feet. This of course was an 

 unfavourable circumstance, and one very little to be expected — illustrat- 

 ing how uncertain our prognostications must be. I do not think, however, 

 that this case of failure should deter from a trial in a place where many 

 of the conditions are so different. 



* Kddur is the local name for the actual river-valley ; this is often several miles wide, 

 is annually flooded by the river, and within its limits the deep water channel frequently 

 shifts its position. Bhangur is the name given to the land rising immediately from the 

 kddur, generally in a vertical cliff from thirty to fifty feet in height, and rising to more 

 than 100 feet in the centre of the Doab — the area between two rivers. Upon this land 

 the action of the river has long been, and must continue to be, erosive. 



