Madras to Bengal.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



2+5 



which consists either of grain, amounting annually to half a million of bags, 

 or, for the most part, of the coarser cloths proper for the eastern markets. 

 Grain is both imported and exported. The imports from Bengal are chiefly 

 into Vizagapatam and Masulipatam. The exports are from Ganjam and its 

 vicinity, where grain is as cheap as in Bengal Cuttack also sends a large 

 quantity. 



III. The third branch, or interior commerce, in salt and piece-goods, 

 of native productions, or copper and raw silk, the latter chiefly for Bengal. 



MASULIPATAM.— Point Divy, in latitude 15 n 59' N., and longitude 

 81° 16' E., forms the W. side of the Bay of Masulipatam ; the shore is very 

 flat all round the bay. Ships in the fair season generally anchor abreast the 

 town, in four or five fathoms, the flagstaff bearing W., distant four or five 

 miles. 



The fort and town of Masulipatam are situated a considerable distance 

 from each other. The fort stands a mile and a half from the sea-shore, on 

 the edge of a sound, formed partly by an inlet of the sea, partly by drains 

 from the circumjacent ground, and still more by a continued stream which 

 the river Kistna sends off about 15 miles to the S. W., and which falls into 

 the upper part of the sound, very near the fort. The sound has sometimes 

 three fathoms, and at others only three feet water ; and opposite to the fort, 

 is five hundred yards in breadth. The ground along the sea-shore, for two 

 miles to the N. and S. of the inlet of the sound, is a collection of sand-hills, 

 which extend about half a mile inland, when they cease on the borders of a 

 morass, which surrounds the fort on every side for a considerable distance. 



The town of Masulipatam is situated a mile and a half to the N. W. of 

 the fort, on a plot of ground rising above the morass, across which the 

 communication between this ground and the fort is by a straight causeway, 

 2000 yards in length. The town is very extensive, and its ground on the 

 farther side still to the N. W. is bounded by another morass, which stretches 

 along it from S. W. to N. E., but is stopped by the sand-hills of the 

 sea-shore, along which is the only access to the town on dry ground. 



Masulipatam is very populous: it is the capital of the district, and the 

 principal fort and bulwark of aJl the Northern Circars. It was formerly 

 the principal place on the Coast of Coromandel. 



Tobacco, ^Tambacu, Hind. Tmnracitta> San.) of very superior 

 quality, is cultivated in the vicinity of Masulipatam. The snuff is occa- 

 sionally brought to England as presents. 



* YANAON is situated at the confluence of the River Cnringa with one 

 of the principal branches of the Godavery River. The mouth of the latter is 

 obstructed by sandbanks, and therefore cannot be entered without the assist- 

 ance of an experienced pilot. The river is deep within the bar. and is navi- 



