62 Remarks on the Country [Feb. 



much adulterated with sand. The current in front of the town is 

 slack ; and the channel both wider and deeper than opposite the can- 

 tonment. 



In the height of the rains, the Nerbudda reaches barely half way up 

 the above-mentioned kankar bank ; although in some seasons the waters 

 have risen so high as to be on a level with the ghats of the town ; 

 but such instances are of rare occurrence. 



The rains of 1826 were extremely heavy, and the Nerbudda rose to an 

 awful height. In that year a very curious and singular circumstance 

 was witnessed by some of the officers there. It was as follows : 

 Between the fort and the race-course there were some small stunted 

 shrubs, or bushes, approaching the species known by the name of byr, 

 which grew not far from the river's edge; in the centre of one of which, 

 some natives, who happened to be passing by the spot early one morn- 

 ing, perceived a curious looking mass, apparently entangled therein ; and 

 which, on a nearer approach, they much to their surprise discovered to 

 be a young alligator ! — a few ropes having been procured from the can- 

 tonments, they were thrown in running nooses over his tail, head, and 

 body, by which means he was hauled out of his brambly resting-place, 

 and lattee-mar'd to death. He measured about six feet in all. The 

 river had covered the bush the day preceding, into which it is conjec- 

 tured the velocity of the stream had carried him with such force, as to 

 make his extrication therefrom hopeless, and the river having fallen 

 during the night had left him high and dry — when taken, it was observ- 

 ed, that he was minus a paw, which had been amputated at the wrist. 



At the distance of about 50 yards above the junction of the Towa 

 river with the Nerbudda, there is a ledge of black lime-stone rock, 

 which stretches the whole way across the Nerbudda, connecting the 

 two banks by a causeway, as it were ; a fine waterfall is the result — 

 while immediately below it is an exceedingly deep (koond) hole, 

 which is literally alive with immense alligators. The ascent from its 

 steepness and slippery nature is impracticable to them, and they con- 

 tent themselves with sporting about in the deep water at its base. 



From this waterfall to the Goondry Ghat, (fordable from November 

 to June,) the Nerbudda is both deep and broad : — cultivation meets the 

 eve on the southern side, while a dense jungle and impervious under- 

 wood skirts the very bank on its northern face. 



The entrance to the Towa, for the distance of 100 yards or so, is 

 intricate on account of hidden rocks below, and also large masses and 

 blocks of rock, some of a black, some of a white, and some of a reddish 

 tinge, which are scattered about at different elevations above the level 

 of the water. These being passed, the channel of the river is unob- 



