152. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Journal towards Assam and to Boo tan — contains notes on 

 distribution of Plants. 



Left Calcutta a second time on the 31st August 1837, arrived 

 at Serampore on the 1st September, and spent the day with the 

 Voights. 



September 3rd. — Continue on the Hooghly : paddy cultivation pre- 

 vails and Crotalaria juncea : this last is sown broad cast in low places, 

 but not quite so low as paddy. Bengallees are but slovenly husband- 

 men ; grass, etc. collected by them in small cocks, and covered with 

 a small thatch, which answers its purpose as well as a narrow brimmed 

 hat would answer that of an umbrella. Broken earthenware not 

 unfrequently visible in the banks, in some places at the depth of 3-4 

 feet. Unsettled weather, with gusts of strong wind from the S. and 

 ' SSE. Thermometer 78° 82'. The usual Calcutta birds continue, 

 jackdaw-like crow, Falco pondicherainus, two common mainas, Ardea 

 indica, and the white one. 



Came on the Ganges about noon ; on passing Chobda had the 

 horror of seeing the bodies of burning Hindoos, the friends who are 

 present at these funeral rites turning them about with sticks, so 

 as to give each side its share of fire. The women bathe in their 

 ordinary dresses : these though ample are of fine cotton fabric, so , 

 that when wet more of the shape is disclosed than is deemed desir- 

 able in Europe, but exposure of person has no repugnant effect on 

 Asiatics. 



The Matabangah is a small, very tortuous, stream, not exceeding 

 70 yards in breadth : the banks are low, either wooded to the edge 

 or covered with grass, such as Cynodon. Excellent pasturage pre- 

 vails, as indicated by the number of cows. 



Monday 4th. — Wind SE. There are not many villages in the 

 vicinity of the river ; passed yesterday Kranighat, where there is a toll, 

 from which officers on duty are exempt ; but as no precautions 

 seem to be taken to keep the river clear, no toll whatever should be 

 taken : although the latter is high, the receipts must be very small. 

 Passed Arskally about noon, the banks are composed occasionally 

 of pure sand, and the country becomes more open, with very little 

 jungle, much indigo cultivation occurs. Thermometer 78° 85'. 



