OR CUTTACK. 185 



ments of different coloured quartz and scales of Mica) destructive of 

 course to the fertility of any land on which it may be carried by inundation, 

 and its bottom is singularly irregular and uneven. During the rains the Ma- 

 hanadi may be navigated as far nearly as Ryepur distant fully 300 miles 

 from the point of confluence with the sea, though the passage is rendered 

 difficult in the higher parts by rocks. A great portion of the bed however is 

 dry for five or six months of the year, and it is fordable from January to 

 June, even at the town of Cuttack, 



The principal channel of the Cajori terminates in the Alankar which 

 is deep and narrow, and pursues a singularly tortuons course until it is lost a- 

 midst a variety of smaller ramifications. About half way between Cuttack 

 and the sea, the Cajori sends off a large branch which after dividing, doub- 

 ling upon itself, and again branching out in indescribable intricacies, enters 

 the sea at last in abroad channel about forty miles north of the Black Pago- 

 da, under the name of the Deb Nadi. Another large stream leaves the above 

 opposite to Cuttack, and subsequently divides into three principal rivers, 

 the Bhargabi, Daya, and Kusbhadra which flow south inclining a little 

 to the East. The latter enters the sea "between the Black Pagoda and Poo- 

 Tee. The two former uniting again into one stream, discharge their waters 

 into the Chilka lake (as do other branches of the Bhargabi) called by various 

 names at different stages of their course, and finally the Harchandi. All 

 these deposit coarse sand like the parent stream. 



Next to the Mahanadi, the Brahmani and the Byterini are the most 

 important rivers of the district. The former, soon after entering the Mo- 

 gulbandi, throws off a branch called the Karsua which equals either m 

 size. All the three, after frequently dividing and branching off, unite with 

 the Beriipa (before mentioned as an arm of the Mahanadi) at different 

 points of their courses, and flow into the Mahanadi in two or three large 

 channels forming the Kanka Island or Delta near Point Palmyras. Some 

 of these rivers deposit a portion of fertilizing mud near .the mouth, as well 

 ia-s much coarse sand. 



