GREAT JHEELS NORTH OF MYMENSING 



3 



taneum. The stream is not very rapid, and the river, owing to the 

 numerous islands and banks, does not present so imposing an appear- 

 ance as the Ganges. For the last week strong easterly winds have 

 prevailed. 



27th. — We entered the mouth of the Soormah, or, as the natives 

 seem to call it, the Barak. The water of this river or portion of the 

 Megna ? is remarkably clear, compared with that of the Ganges ; as 

 indeed is that of the Burrampooter. 



30th. — Some time after we entered the Soormah we apparently 

 left its channel, and up to this morning we have passed through a 

 tract of j heels with a few clear and very deep channels. The villages 

 are built on small eminences, and are entirely surrounded with water ; 

 they have the usual form, and those houses adjoining the water have 

 fences of an Arundo, which they tell us are intended to keep out the 

 grass. We have since entering these jheels passed through and be- 

 tween immense beds of vegetation, formed principally of Oplismenus 

 (Panicum) stagninus, Leersia ? aristata, which by -the- bye is a dis- 

 tinct genus. Villarsia cristata, Nymphcealotus, Palomogeton, Azolla 

 Salvinii, etc. etc. The only novel things we have met with are Ischce- 

 mum cuspidatum, Roxb. (sui generis,) and a small grass intermediate 

 between Panicum and Chamaeraphis. The wild form of Aryza sativa, 

 Panicum interruption and Leersia ? ciliaris, Roxb. also occur ; the two 

 former in abundance. On the more dry tracts, that occasionally 

 though very rarely occur, Andropogon muricatus appears. No Sac- 

 charum presented itself since the 28th. High ground was visible 

 yesterday evening, apparently at a great distance. 



October 1st. — We have continued to pass through immense jheels : 

 about 6 a.m. we arrived at Hubbe-gunge, a large native town, 

 situated on the Barak, which does not deserve the name of a river. 

 The actual distance from this place to Chattuc is about 42 miles, and 

 the high land in that direction was faintly visible for about 2 hours 

 in the morning. The ground to the Eastward is losing the " Jheel" 

 character, and appears densely wooded, and to the S.E. rather high 

 hills are visible. Altogether this land of jheels is very remarkable, 

 particularly on account of the great depth of the water, which ex- 

 cept in one point has hitherto always exceeded 6 feet, and yet the 

 water has fallen in all probability two or three more. As the head 

 quarters of tropical aquatic plants, it is well worthy of attention ; the 

 profusion of Leersia aristata, Roxb. is immense, but this is almost 

 exceeded by Oplismenus stagninus. 



