148 



Remarkable Hot Wind in Purneah. 



[Feb. 



17. Is the ground torn up in 

 any part of the track ? 



18. Was the soil wet or very 

 dry, or moderately moist ? 



19. If it was the hot wind which 

 did the mischief in the factories 

 did it appear to affect metallic 

 bodies and fastenings in any way ? 



20. If any things were lifted, 

 how far were they carried? 



2 1 . What is the position of your 

 factory from the nearest station, 

 and at what distance also from 

 the Ganges ? 



22. Is the line at the edges of 

 the path of the blast very distinct 

 or gradual and what is an average 

 distance in feet or yards between 

 the nearest fully burnt plant and 

 that which is uninjured, and what 

 is the state of the intermediate 

 plants ? 



23. If any good native accounts 

 from villagers or Factory servants 

 can be obtained, I shall be glad 

 to have them in Bengdli or in Eng- 

 lish. 



No reply given to this. 

 A. Very dry. 

 A. No. 



No reply given. 



A. Three factories on the north 

 bank and one on the south bank of 

 the Ganges varying'in distance from 

 the river from a mile to 3 miles, 

 and all lying S. E. of the station 

 of Purnea, which is distant about 

 36 or 40 miles. 



No reply given. 



A. Some of the carpenters in 



my employment have relations in 



the Morung engaged in the timber 



trade, who have lately returned 



home, and who say that fire fell 



from heaven in large masses, and 



that seven men were killed. 



Mr. Cruise, in forwarding the replies to the queries, says : — 



" In compliance with the request contained in yours of the 11th, I 



have had the pleasure of answering the questions proposed by you 



according to the best of my ability and recollection, and I herewith 



