Madras to Bengal] ORIENTAL COMMERCE 



240 



clear weather, as there are several shoals near it, running a considerable dis- 

 tance into the sea, which render it unsafe approaching within four leagues. 

 A lighthouse is now erected on the Point, and may be seen nt about twenty 

 miles distance. 



About five miles N* W. of the Point is Kaxnaka, or Cuttack River, 

 which is wide at its entrance, and navigable for vessels drawing twelve or 

 thirteen feet water ; but it is necessary to employ a pilot. It is much fre- 

 quented by the coasting vessels belonging to the natives, who carry- rice and 

 various articles of trade from hence to Madras and other parts of the coast, 

 during the favourable monsoon. Latterly, vessels belonging to European 

 residents at Calcutta have been employed in conveying stores from Fort 

 William to the Kannaka, returning with salt, corn, and rice. Some native 

 vessels from the Maldives trade to the Kannaka. Vessels entering the river 

 import at Hoonswah; the Deputy Master-Attendant is stationed at 1)om~ 

 rah ; the Master-Attendant resides at Pooree, An inland trade is carried 

 on with the Nagpore country. 



Six leagues N. N. W. of the Kannaka is Churikga River, situated in a 

 bay affording good anchorage in the S. W. monsoon ; but, being out of the 

 track of ships bound to Bengal, is seldom visited. 



Redwood, properly Red Saunders, is produced chiefly on the Coro- 

 mandel coast, whence it has of late years been imported in considerable 

 quantity to England, where it is employed in dying. It is the wood of the 

 PterocarpttH Smitafhim, (Ratt Chamlan, Hind. ; Racta Chandana, San.), 

 and comes in round billets of a blackish red colour on the outside, a deep 

 brighter red within, with a wavy grain ; no smell or taste, unless recent. 

 Caliatour wood is likewise a red wood growing on this coast ; but it must 

 not be confounded with Red Saunders. 



BALASORE. — The entrance of the river is in latitude about 21° 28' N. 

 Balasore was formerly a considerable town, but at present is only about a 

 mile long, and half a mile broad in the widest part. It is built along the 

 river Ueree Bellaun, where the tide commonly rises eight feet, and serves to 

 carry vessels up to the dry docks, of which there are many here ; but the 

 spring tides rise much higher. The stream is navigable only for vessels of 

 100 tons burthen; and these cannot get over the bar at the mouth of the 

 river, except at high-water, spring tides. 



Trade. — A considerable trade is carried on here by small country ves- 

 sels, in rice, dohl, and other grain, tobacco, wax, oil, and various piece-goods 

 manufactured in the neighbourhood. 



Boats from the Maldive Islands arrive in fleets of twenty or thirty, in 

 the months of June and July, bringing with them the produce of their 



