1834.] between Hoshungabad and Makrai. 63 



structed in the rains, beyond Sindkhera ; the current flowing over a 

 sandy bed and soil, between low banks, at times shelving to the water's 

 edge. 



At the distance of about one hundred and fifty yards below the 

 village oiBoodeny, there is another ledge of rock, which, stretching right 

 across, connects both banks. This ledge, however, is neither so wide 

 nor so high as the former one mentioned ; although the roaring of the 

 water falling over it is heard a long way off. That obstruction being 

 cleared, the river pursues its onward course in quickened speed, and 

 depth, and likewise width of stream, for some distance below the village 

 cf Doongurwara. 



Both the long, as well as the bull-mouthed alligator is met with in 

 the Nerbudda. I recollect one of the latter having been shot by a ball, 

 which perforated his brain, and which on measurement reached nine 

 feet 10 inches in all. Curiosity having led us to open him, in the hopes 

 of meeting in his maw with some of the silver ornaments, which had 

 graced the wrists and ankles of the little children, which had been taken 

 away, when bathing at the ghats, by these amphibious monsters ; our 

 labours were rewarded by finding simply the hairy hide of a young 

 hysena, which one of the party had ordered to be thrown into the river 

 a short time antecedent to the capture of the alligator. It was conjec- 

 tured, that the hairy particles with which the hide was covered had 

 prevented its being digested. 



The country all the way to Seonee, where there is an old stone 

 gurhee, or fort, is one fine, extended, sheet of cultivation ; the soil being 

 a rich black loam. This town is situated about 34 miles to the S. W. 

 of Hoshungabad, and is without exception one of the best looking and 

 cleanest towns in this part of India. It possesses, moreover, a very 

 wide street, which is the principal thoroughfare. The houses too are 

 mostly new, and built with great regularity and neatness. I allude 

 particularly to the new suburb, at the south end of the town, which has 

 arisen since the country became settled and quiet under our rule. To 

 the south of the town, several young mango topes were planted, and 

 also several pucka boulees erected. The south-east view presents a 

 range of mountains in the distance, while to the S. S. E. the fortress of 

 Souleegurh, which is built on the top of a rocky isolated hill, at the 

 distance of 12 or 15 k6s, is visible. There are several wealthy maha- 

 juns resident in the town, besides several dookandars, who carry on a 

 small trade with Hoshungabad, Boorhanpoor, and other places of less 

 note in the neighbourhood. The exports are but few, and these consist 

 chiefly of grain and ghee, at least they are the staple commodities of 

 export. Iron smelted in the neighbouring hills forms also a small 

 article of export. Seonee is a great place of resort for Brinjary bullock- 



