702 Account of the Origin, etc. of the [July, 



necessary. — The natural tendency of the double set of embankments, 

 as indeed of all dikes, will be to cause the river to carry its alluvium 

 farther and farther, and so gradually to raise both the bed of the im- 

 mediate channel, and also of the general surface within the limits of 

 the belt of variation. The belt will thus become higher above the 

 neighbouring plains, and will also stretch farther into them, than would 

 have been effected by nature alone. After a time there may be danger 

 in retaining an immense flood above the level of the country, which 

 without such embankments would at an earlier period have sought an 

 escape to the right or left. The question will then arise, In what 

 directions can the river be taken so as to cause the least sacrifice of 

 property with the greatest prospect of a long continuance in the line 

 chosen ? Such a question has now in fact to be determined with re- 

 spect to the Damooda, but it can only be properly discussed after the 

 requisite data of levels, volume of water, &c. have been ascertained. 

 The proposition sometimes made of abandoning the "bunds" of the 

 Damooda seems unworthy of the science of the age, and if carried out 

 would certainly cause a great destruction of property and lead to much 

 personal distress among the poor. 



On the Origin, Location, Numbers, Creed, Customs, Character and 

 Condition of the Kdcch, Bodo and Dhimdl people, with a general 

 description of the climate they dwell in. By B. H. Hodgson, Esq. 



If we commence our researches into the aboriginal tongues and races 

 of India in its north-east corner or Assam, we find that province rich in 

 such materials for enquiry. But the majority of the numerous abori- 

 gines of the mountains of Assam, appear to belong to the monosyllabic- 

 tongued or Chinese stem, with which we have nothing to do. A line 

 drawn north and south across the Brahmaputra, in the general direction 

 of the Dhansri river, and continued southwards so as to leave Kachar 

 within it or to the west of it, would seem not very inaccurately to divide 

 the monosyllabic-tongued from the Tamulian mountaineers. Possibly, 

 indeed, some of the hill tribes to the north of the Brahmaputra, although 

 within the Tamulian limits, as above conjecturally defined, may yet be 



