SURVEY OF THE GANGES. ' 561 



village, Tumris or Tumbahs, which are large gourds,* by means of 

 which the passage is effected. Three or four of these are fastened to a 

 string, and tied round the waist of the man who serves as a guide; a 

 string of the same kind is attached to the passenger, to prevent his sink- 

 ing, in case of accident; but no personal exertions are required on his 

 part, as he has merely to grasp the bandage of the guide, who, being 

 an expert swimmer, conveys him to the opposite shore. The baggage 

 was transported across on men's heads ; and the number of gourds was 

 proportioned to the weight of the package. There being only three pi- 

 lots, and as very few of our party could cross without their assistance, the 

 passage was very tedious ; and the evening closed, before one third of 

 our people or baggage had come over. 



24th. Therm. 73°. Marched to J^aikhdnah, a village situated about 

 three hundred feet above the Rdmgad rivulet, and inhabited by Pataris 

 or dancing women. Lat. 29". 30'. 44". 



The road was sufficiently good to admit of measurement by the per- 

 ambulator, which gave the distance ten miles one furlong. 



25th. Therm. 68°. Marched to Bhimeswara, where we encamped 

 in the enclosure of a temple sacred to Maha'de'va, under the above 

 name. 



On this day's march, we passed the last steep ascent which we had to 

 encounter. Small pieces of rag, and scraps of cloth, were attached to the 

 surrounding trees, and most of our people were so overjoyed, to find 

 their labours so nearly brought to a termination, that they expressed 

 their satisfaction, by adding to the number of the tattered relics; making 



* Cucurhita Lagenaria, 



T 6 



