510 On the Natural Products about [No. 115. 



is, the worse the water ; for the salts that occasion the brackishness 

 are by no means removed on their contents being drawn out, or 

 evaporated ; but adhere to the sides of the well, or being extremely 

 soluble, as they all are, impregnate the bottom mud to some depth. 

 May not the proverbial unhealthiness of old deserted cities be in 

 a great measure attributable to the water reservoirs being all in the 

 same state ? 



At the next stage, Gunpoora, the elevations to the right were ascer- 

 tained to be of the sandstone formation, similar to that of Pakhall. 

 The granite continued for some miles to be the surface rock ; but it 

 finally disappeared at Chintakaminah, the stage next to Madhapore, 

 where its place was taken by the sandstone. 



Between Senapore and Madhapore, the country, particularly after 

 entering the Chinnore Sircar at Chumblepore, is exceedingly jungly. 

 The wood jungle, which commences at the last mentioned place, con- 

 sists of the trees formerly noticed in the description of Pakhall, with the 

 addition of two or three Gardenias. Two species of Bignoria, the 

 crispa and quadulocularis, the Schrebera Swietienoides, a species of 

 Cordia, the Strychnos Potatorum, the Randea dumetorum, the Termi- 

 nalia Chebula, two species of Casearia and Celastrus raniculata ; the 

 last a climbing shrub. Of the grains and legumes cultivated in this 

 Sircar, there is little or no difference between them and those of Hu- 

 numkondah, mentioned in my first letter. The Linum usitatissimum 

 is grown here in small quantity, but a good deal is imported from 

 Chandah. Its oil is chiefly used by the sawyers. 



A species of Capsicum, known in Western India by the name of 

 Nepal chillj^, is grown here. Cotton is also raised, but in very small 

 quantity. The Goands who inhabit the hills and fastnesses of the north, 

 use the bamboo seeds, ground to a meal, and mixed with milk, as an 

 article of diet. Cattle, buffaloes included, present nothing remarkable. 

 The latter, as elsewhere in other parts of India, are used for draught. 



There are flocks of sheep, with the brown wool, here ; it is not 

 esteemed of much value, and is chiefly sent to Chandah in the Nagpore 

 territory. The Goands bring in hides of the Samber* and Nilgyef for 

 sale ; the price is from eight annas to twelve annas each. 



* Sambev or Samur. The Indian Elk. 

 f Nilghye. 



