264 JHEELS OF BENGAL. Chap. XXVIII. 



thunder-storms we experienced, foretold their speedy arrival. 

 From May till October they are unremitting, and the 

 country is under water, the Soormah rising about fifty feet. 

 North-easterly winds prevail, but they are a local current 

 reflected from the Khasia, against which the southerly 

 perennial trade- wind impinges. Westerly winds are very 

 rare, but the dry north-west blasts of India have been 

 known to traverse the delta and reach this meridian, in one 

 or two short hot dry puffs during March and April. Hoar- 

 frost is unknown.*" 



China roses and tropical plants (Bicjuonice, Asclepia- 

 dece, and Convolvuli) rendered Mr. Inglis' bungalow gay, 

 but little else will grow in the gardens. Pine-apples are 

 the best fruit, and oranges from the foot of the Khasia : 

 piantains ripen imperfectly, and the mango is always acid, 

 attacked by grubs, and having a flavour of turpentine. 

 The violent hailstorms of the vernal equinox cut both 

 spring and cold season flowers and vegetables, and the 

 rains destroy all summer products. The soil is a wet clay, 

 in which some European vegetables thrive well if planted 

 in October or November. We were shown marrowfat peas 

 that had been grown for thirty years without degenerating 

 in size, but their flavour was poor. 



Small long canoes, paddled rapidly by two men, were 

 procured here, whereby to ascend the narrow rivers that 

 lead up to the foot of the mountains : they each carry one 

 passenger, who lies along the bottom, protected by a bam- 

 boo platted arched roof. We started at night, and early 

 the next morning arrived at Pundua,f where there is a 



' It however forms further south, at the very mouth of the Megna, and is the 

 effect of intense radiation when the thermometer in the shade falls to 45°. 



t Pundua, though an insignificant village, surrounded by swamps, has enjoyed 

 an undue share of popularity as a botanical region. Before the geographical 

 features of the country north of Silhet were known, the plants brought from 



