1844.] Notes on the Kasia Hills, and People. 617 



morning.* Each will see a faint halo surrounding the shadow of his 

 own head. 



Another curious appearance at evening, I first observed at Cherra, 

 though I have often since seen it, during the present rainy season, in 

 the Upper Provinces ; namely, the distinct imitation of a sunset in the 

 East, so far as shewn in long white rays diverging apparently from a 

 point exactly opposite to the setting sun's position. 



During the rains of 1842, when the whole Sylhet country below us 

 had the appearance of a sea, several of the dwellers at Cherra were much 

 struck by the appearance of innumerable lights on the surface of the 

 distant plains ; far too many to be accounted for by any theory of vil- 

 lages, and fishing boats. The natives said at once that it was " Shai- 

 tan," nor were any of the numerous suggestions on the subject, more 

 plausible. 



The thunder-storms, in the months of March and April, last for 

 many hours, and are tremendous indeed, but I do not know that they 

 are more so in the hills than below. Several of the houses in the little 

 stations have been struck by lightning, and during a residence of 18 

 months there was one fatal accident. In a still afternoon, whilst black 

 clouds were sailing up, and for several minutes before the storm reach- 

 ed us, I have heard, as the prophet did on Carmel, " the sound of abun- 

 dance of rain," a peculiar rustling noise from the rain quarter. It 

 might possibly have been the fall of the heavy drops on the leaves of 

 the jungle, but I once again in a still cloudy day heard the same rustling 

 sound, somewhat like the flight of many birds, directly over my tent, and 

 the Kasias said immediately that rain was coming, but no rain fell. 



A most peculiar and striking aspect is thrown over almost every scene 

 in the upper parts of the country, by the various remarkable monu- 

 mental stonesf which are scattered on every wayside. These are of 

 several kinds, but almost all of them recall strongly those mysterious, 

 solitary or clustered monuments of unknown origin, so long the puzzle 

 and delight of antiquaries, which abound in our native country, and are 

 seen here and there in all parts of Europe and Western Asia. The 



* Most observable in riding across a field of green wheat soon after sunrise. — Eds. 



f See Plate II. The illustration is an imaginary group of details from various 

 sketches. It shews a greater variety; but by no means so great a number of monuments 

 as many real scenes exhibit. 



