1 834.] of the Soil of Tirhiit. 1 89 



cence of this salt, which is in almost inexhaustible abundance during 

 the dry season of this country. The natives collect and manufacture it 

 into a salt called by them khdrinun (bitter salt,) which is given to cattle 

 as a medicine, and used in the process of tanning, or rather dressing and 

 preparing the hides to be tanned. It forms a considerable native article 

 of commerce in these districts, and as the process of making it differs 

 somewhat from that of saltpetre, I shall on a future occasion attempt a 

 description of the native manufacture. An examination of the water from 

 about 20 wells at different distances from each other, on the road be- 

 tween Singhea and Mow, (about 20 coss,) produced the following 

 nmount of saline matter, contained in a standard English gallon : 



Sulphate of soda, 26.4 grains 



Muriate of do 1 1 .2 do. 



Nitrate and carbonate of lime, 12.8 do. 



Total of saline mater in solution, .... 50.2 per gallon. 



The above samples of water forming an average from 20 wells was 

 taken in the month of April, 1833, and forming a line of considerable 

 distance east and west through the south part of Tirhiit. This result is 

 a tolerable approximation to the contents of the saline nature of the soil. 



A sample of the water of the river Gandak, taken from the stream 

 opposite Singhea, this present month, gave me nearly 2 grains of mu- 

 riate of soda in 16 oz. or a pint measure. The tests did not indicate any 

 other kind of saline matter in solution. It is worthy of remark, that the 

 water of the river Son at this time is perfectly pure, at least I could not 

 detect any saline matter in solution by various re-agents. It ought in con- 

 sequence to be used in preference to any other at this season by every 

 one, even at a distance, who can afford the expense of carriage. I have 

 ventured an opinion, that the tumours or swellings of the throats of the 

 natives dwelling on this side of the Ganges are caused by the saline na- 

 ture of the water they are under the necessity of using at this season 

 of the year. Be this as it may, the hint may not altogether be uninter- 

 esting to the medical gentlemen of these districts, and who may here- 

 after establish as a fact what I have merely hinted as a crude opinion. 



In conclusion, I have to remark that the above efflorescence of sul- 

 phate of soda may hereafter, when European skill and capital becomes 

 more abundant in these productive districts, be converted into a valua- 

 ble article of commerce ; for it is manufactured in England and France 

 at a great cost from the muriate of soda, by sulphuric acid, and was 

 valued in the London market in the year 1830, at from £8 to 10 the ton. 

 It is almost unnecessary to add, that there is a sufficient quantity of 

 this article in Tirhdt and Sarun to supply the whole of India with Glau- 

 ber salts to be used in cooling wines, and water, or along with other 

 salts used for the purpose. 



