1837.] 



Bombay Islands. 



1G5 



the commingled matter speedily subsides. The temperature is always 

 equal or above that of the atmosphere, and in the dry season may be ra- 

 ted at from 80° to 86°. It affords the following results with re-agents : — 



1. A solution of acetate of lead produces a copious white flocky pre- 



cipitate. 



2. A slight precipitation with oxalate of ammonia. 



3. A muddiness with muriate of barytes. 



4. A milkiness with lime water. 



5. A precipitate with nitrate of silver. 



From these facts we may deduce that the water contains in solution 

 (1.) a quantity of vegetable or animal matter. Judging by the eye of 

 the relative proportions of the precipitate by acetate of lead in the 

 Thames and Bombay water, we should be inclined to refer the maxi- 

 mum to the former, and no one will affirm that the water procured from 

 the Thames is pernicious to health. 

 (2.) Small quantities of 



Chloride of sodium 



Sulphate of lime 



Carbonate of lime. 

 The animal and vegetable matters are derived, there can be little hesi- 

 tation in concluding, from substances which readily gain admittance in 

 consequence of the exposure of the tanks, and the presence of the 

 saline matter must be attributed to the same sources as in other similar 

 situations, their small proportions being explained by the want of free 

 communication between the water and the soluble portion of the earth. 



The rock of Baboola is close grained, and is extremely hard, ap- 

 proaching in some measure to a green stone, as it appears sometimes 

 in Scotland, with the aspect of an aqueous deposit. It affords an ex- 

 cellent material for mending the roads, which for their smoothness 

 cannot be surpassed. This rock appears limited in its range ; for at 

 Parell, amygdaloid occurs with very large cavities, filled with the usual 

 mineral. The northern portion of the island is similarly constituted, 

 presenting nearly a level surface, thickly clothed with a great variety 

 of trees and shrubs,* which afford a grateful shade from the over- 



* Among the trees of the island, the Ficus religiosa and Indica are the most stately, 

 which appear to have attracted the attention of Europeans, as early as the time of Alexan- 

 der the Great, if we may judge from the admirable description of Quintus Curtius, " He- 

 rique rami instar ingentium stipitum flexi in humum rursus, qua se curvaverant, erige- 

 bantur, adeo ut species esset non rami resurgentis, sed arboris ex sua radice generata?."— . 

 Q. Curt. Ruf. lib. ix. c. 1. 



V Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 

 The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 

 About the mother tree." — Milton. 

 The variety of trees and shrubs is great, but perhaps, the finest ornaments are, Morinda 

 citrifolia, Capparis acuminata, Artocarpus iniegrifolia, Terminalia alata, Getonia floribunda, 

 Vichelia champaca, Mimusops elengi, Grewia microcos, and Orientalis, Annona reticula and 

 quamosa, and Tamarindus Indica, which if any members of the vegetable kingdom caa 

 be considered as indigenous in this island, must hold the highest rank. 



