228 Notes on Jumeera Pat, in Sirgooja. [No. 3. 



the most eligible site for the sepoys' lines and amlahs' houses, which 

 were accordingly built there. 



The soil on the spot on which the bungalow is situated, to the 

 depth of about two or three feet, is a rich black mould, below which is 

 red gravel. In endeavouring to sink a well, which we tried in three 

 places, this gravel appeared to increase in hardness and become more 

 difficult to dig the lower the well was sunk, the colour of the gravel 

 also became of a deeper red. After digging to the depth of about 

 thirty-five or forty feet we came to rock which obliged us to discon- 

 tinue the work, as the men employed did not understand blasting ; 

 no water was obtained. The soil generally, except where the bun- 

 galow is situated, is a red, light earth. From the appearance of 

 the slopes of the hill, which are very rocky, as also from the result 

 of our endeavours to sink a well, I should say that the hill on which 

 the house is situated must be one mass of rock beneath. 



For water we were dependent on springs, which issue from the 

 sides and at the foot of the hill, it is of good quality, and the 

 springs did not fail during the hot weather, the only drawback 

 being the distance which the people were obliged to go to fetch it, 

 the nearest spring being about half mile from the house. In the 

 rainy season the flow of water from these springs was of course 

 considerably increased, and fresh ones also burst forth. A " bund" 

 had been constructed in the gorge between two hills during the 

 time my predecessor (Mr. A. R. Thompson, C. S.) was in charge of 

 the sub-division, but it had been partially destroyed in the rainy 

 season of 1855, the rush of water from the hills in the rains being 

 at times great, I doubt if a " bund" would stand ; unless strongly 

 and scientifically constructed, which would be an expensive work. 

 The greatest convenience, if feasible, would be a couple of wells, one 

 near the house, and the other near the lines. 



With regard to climate, I annex a register of the thermometer, 

 the accuracy of which may be depended on, as I noted it daily. In 

 the hot season, as soon as the sun set, the air became cool and 

 pleasant, and the nights were always cool — natives sleeping in the 

 verandah of the house, at night, used warm coverings, even in the 

 hot season. I had neither punkahs nor tatties during the time I 

 was there, arid I found that by keeping the doors shut and the 



