1844.] Note on the Navigation of the river Nurbudda. 503 



" I left Chiculdah on the morning of the 26th, passed Hiiun Phall, 

 slept on the bank of the stream nearly opposite to the village of Burk- 

 hery, and reached the mouth of the Hatnee next evening the 27th, 

 where we spent the night on a rock in the centre of the river. 



" Our progress was unimpeded for twenty-five miles below Chicul- 

 dah, the river having mostly the appearance above described, until we 

 reached Dhurnarag, and (spelt Dhurmcotein the plan,) where it makes 

 a bend to the South, and its aspect is totally changed. Here there is a 

 gradual increase in the strength of the current, the rocks become 

 larger and more numerous, and the stream being somewhat contract- 

 ed, is divided into several channels through which it darts with consi- 

 derable force. 



"Although I experienced little difficulty in passing this rapid, and 

 have ascertained that light boats may be taken up and down at this 

 season without danger, if guided with ordinary care, it is nevertheless 

 to be considered a serious obstruction to navigation, since from the 

 position of the rocks it must be a dangerous spot when the river is 

 swollen, and from its extent it would require a good deal of labour to 

 make it generally available for traffic. 



"This is one of those places which, on the score of expense, it might, 

 at first sight be thought advisable to avoid by means of a road ; but a 

 more accurate inspection than I had time to afford, would I conceive, 

 shew the possibility of overcoming even this obstacle at no very enor- 

 mous cost, partly by clearing the channel, and perhaps partly by the 

 mode recommended in my concluding remarks. 



" Below this the river is deep, and continues so to the Hirun Phall, 

 about a mile further down, where the greater part of it rushes through 

 a channel only a few yards in width, with a force against which it 

 would be useless to contend. 



11 The fall of this rapid is gradual, its channel varies little in breadth, 

 and throughout its entire length, which is considerable, the water 

 is broken into foam. But notwithstanding its formidable appearance, 

 of which its length is the most discouraging feature, I am by no 

 means inclined to regard it as so important as has been represented, 

 its proximity to the bank and the slope and position of the neighbour- 

 ing rocks being particularly favourable for the construction of a road 

 or locks, as might be found most convenient. 



3z 



