104 Lt.-Col. J. Waterhouse— On the Barisdl Guns. March, 



Other observers record them as occurring at intervals of a few 

 seconds. 



The sounds are heard not only at Barisal, where they are very 

 distinct, but over the whole delta of the Ganges from the Hughli to 

 the Megna. They are recorded from Cherra Punji, bat do not appear 

 to be generally heard further north than Dacca and Faridpur, and 

 are not heard at Balasor. Sir W. Herschel says he never heard them 

 spoken of as occurring at Kushtia, Rajshahaye, Nadiya or Maldah. 



It is curious to note that the sounds are somewhat capricious, being 

 frequently heard at certain places, but not at others close by. 



They appear to be almost invariably heard from a southerly direc- 

 tion. According to Mr. H. J. Rainey they are quite independent of the 

 direction of the wind and come from the south and south east directions, 

 after a heavy fall of rain, or cessation of a squall and while the tide is 

 rising. Captain Stewart says they are always heard in Barisal from 

 one direction, and there and at Kukri Miikri, Chapli Chur, Tiger 

 Point and other places in the Sundarbuns he noticed the sounds always 

 from the direction of the depression known as the " Swash of no- 

 Ground," and from the fact of the direction being always the same he 

 argues against the sounds being caused by the falling in of river banks, 

 falling of trees or firing of bombs. 



Mr. Beveridge says that at Barisal the sounds come from the south 

 and south-west, and are generally heard in a south wind and before 

 rain. At the Island of Kiikri Mukri they are said to be heard from the 

 north, south and south west, and to be quite unconnected with the bore, 

 the tides, or the surf. 



Mr. T. R. Sarr reports their occurrence at Luckipara Factory, 

 district Jessore, on the 28th June 1871, between 5 and 6 p. m. from the 

 N. W., the direction of the wind being S. W. Reports sudden and 

 momentary like bombs. 



The sounds are said to have been heard at all hours of the day or 

 night, though more often in the stillness of evening or night. Mr. Sarr 

 reports them as occurring principally through the day. 



They appear to be usually observed during the hot weather and 

 rainy months from March to September. Mr. Sarr heard them near 

 Jessore in May and June only. In 1870 they were frequent ; in 1871 

 few and far between. 



Captain Stewart heard them in the Sundarbans in March 1862 and 

 again at Chapli Chur, on the Sea-face, in March 1863, as well as in 

 April and May at Barisal. 



Mr. Rainey says they are only heard during the S. W. Monsoon 

 and rainy season. 



