1863. ] Progress of the Trigonometrical Survey. 117 
George Shelverton, Esq., Civil second Assistant Great Trigonometri- 
eal Survey, traverses a meridian close to that of Umritsur, and was 
brought to a termination last season by joining the Arumlia Series, 
which had some years previously been carried, by Captain Rivers of 
the Bombay Engineers, up an adjacent meridian, as far as Ajmeer, 
from the Great Longitudinal triangulation. From Sirsa to Ajmeer 
it crosses a desert tract, of which Mr. Shelverton reports that “the 
main difficulties encountered were scarcity of water, of building ma- 
terial, of laborers and of provisions. The country traversed had suffer- 
ed for three years from extreme drought; large villages, originally 
containing upwards of 500 families, had been deserted by all except 
first class farmers who were too proud to work. Wholesome water 
was scarcely procurable, and water even for building purposes had 
frequently to be conveyed from distances of 4: and 5 miles. The 
largest reservoirs of water upon which the inhabitants depended for 
their supply during the greater part of the year had invariably been 
exhausted, and the expensive kucha wells of the country barely suffic- 
ed for local wants. It was therefore under very adverse circumstanc- 
es that the Goorhagurh Meridional Series was conducted during the 
field season of 1860-61.” 
14. During the following season the deserts of Bikaneer, Shekha- 
wati and Marwar were extensively traversed, and a very large area 
of both principal and secondary triangulation was executed, reflecting 
much credit on Mr. Shelverton and his assistants, who skilfully and 
energetically availed themselves of the facilities offered by mounds 
and hills, commanding extensive prospects, to fix a large number of 
positions of importance. In the two seasons the triangulation was 
earried a direct distance of 342 miles by 50 consecutive triangles, 
covering an area of 4,454 square miles. 
15. The Assam Party,* in charge of C. Lane, Esq., Chief Civil 
observations were taken at only one station. The secondary triangulation covers 
an area of 10,954 square miles. Owing to the paucity of good natural or artifi- 
cial objects, 152 secondary station marks were built for future reference. 
* The area of Secondary Triangulation executed during both seasons is 10,250 
square miles, fixing the positions of Silchar, Sylhet, Jyntiapoor and numerous 
other places of importance. One azimuth only was determined by astronomical 
observation. 
Mr. Rossenrode reports as follows of the tribes who inhabit Independent 
Tipperah: “The Court of the Rajah at Agratolla is composed entirely of Ben- 
galis, A Brahmin of Bengal has the sole management, and conducts the affairs 
of the state. Being a Brahmin he is also the spiritual adviser of the Rajah, who 
Q 2 
