FROM CALCUTTA TO THE GANGES. 



153 



Tuesday, 5th. — Wind SW. The country continues the same as be- 

 fore. At 2 p. m., we reached Krishnapoor. 



Wednesday, 6th. — 8 a. m. We left the Matabangah river and entered . 

 a less tortuous nullah. The country continues the same. Much 

 indigo cultivation still occurs. We saw yesterday evening a large herd 

 of cows swim across the Matabangah ; they were led by a bull, who 

 kept turning round every now and then to see whether his convoy 

 was near him. To-day I saw a rustic returning from his labours, with 

 his plough thrown easily across his shoulders ; to a strong Englishman 

 the feat of walking home with such a plough, cattle, and all would 

 not be very difficult. Indigo is cut about a foot from the ground, 

 then tied in bundles. Water for steeping it in is raised from the 

 rivers by something like chair-buckets, only the buckets are repre- 

 sented by flat pieces of wood, the whole is turned on an axle by the 

 tread of men ; the water is carried upon an inclined narrow plane ; 

 the machine answers its purpose very well, and the natives work it 

 with great dexterity. At 5 p. m., we came on a stream 100 yards 

 wide, down which we proceeded. 



Thursday, 7th. — The country continues much the same. Of birds 

 the black and white peewit is not uncommon ; — cormorants, etc. also 

 occur, p. m. Thermometer 90°. 



Friday, 8th. — The country is more low and more sub-divided by 

 rivers than before. Abundance of indigo. Pumps also used, as before 

 observed, for raising water. Passed Moodoo Kully at 5 p. m., and left 

 its river for a small nullah. Indigo abundant on all sides throughout 

 the day's journey. 



Saturday, 9th. — Continue in this nullah. Country wooded. Phaenix 

 sylvestris very abundant : Areca and Catechu also becoming abundant. 

 A good deal of cultivation occurs, mottled chiefly with sugar-cane and 

 vegetables. The habits of the black and white kingfisher, Alcedo rudis, 

 are different from those of the other Indian species : it never perches, 

 choosing rather the ground to rest upon : it builds in banks : takes 

 its prey by striking it from a height of 20 feet or thereabouts, pre- 

 viously fluttering or hovering over it. The size and figure of this 

 bird when resting on the ground, resembles the two common Indian 

 Terns. 



Palms, contrary to what might be supposed from the nature of 

 these plants, can put forth additional buds ; — this is exemplified in 

 phaenix sylvestris, the stems of which are deeply and alternately notch- 

 ed by the natives for procuring toddy. When this is carried to a great 



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