36 
^OIL OF CUNDLECUND. 
dry and hot weadier. Even in its driest state, however, it 
has not the shmy compactness of pure clay-soils ; but when 
separated into small pieces from the mass, is found to be 
quite friable, and easily reduced to powder. I think it 
probable that this contains also a proportion of magnesian 
earth, though, never having subjected it to chemical ana- 
lysis, I am not warranted in drawing this inference from 
any accurate data. It is reckoned exceedingly fertile, and 
in no part of the Company^s territories are more luxuriant 
crops displayed than in the districts where it predominates. 
Indeed, the richness of the Bundlecund lands, composed 
principally of this sort, is quite proverbial in India ; and 
from its quality of retaining moisture, the process of irrigat- 
ing them is less frequently resorted to, and the labour of 
the husbandman thereby lessened. It would appear, how- 
ever, that greater exertions are necessary in preparing the 
soil for the seed, and also in keeping it clear of weeds, than 
we see applied to the common lands of Hindostan. A long 
grass was springing up every where at the time 1 passed 
through the district, and formed the only obstacle to the 
plough, which was then going in all directions. 
One would suppose that the above characters of the soil 
should affect the climate, and render the plain of Bundle- 
cund moist and unhealthy. As far as my own observation 
extends, agues are very prevalent in the whole of the low 
country, and sometimes prove so severe in European habits, 
as to require a total change of air for their removal; but 
the native population do not seem to suffer from any ende- 
mical diseases in a greater degree than the inhabitants of 
other parts of India ; and their appearance, upon the whole, 
as presented to myself in passing along, rather indicated 
general good health and comfort. 
This black soil has evidently been formed from the de- 
composition of some of the many varieties of clay-rock, 
