Ganges and Rurrampooter Rivers. 109 
feet above the level of the fea at high water*. Thus far does 
the Ocean manifeft its dominion in both feafons : in the one by 
the ebbing and flowing of its tides ; and in the other by de- 
preffing the periodical flood, till the furface of it coincides as 
nearly with its own, as- the defcent of the channel: of the river 
will admit -f . 
Similar circumflances take place in the Jellinghy, Hoogly, 
and Burrampooter Rivers ; and, I fuppofe, in all others that 
are fnbjedl either to periodical or occaflonal fwellings.. 
Not only does the flood diminilh near the fea, but the river 
banks diminiih in the fame proportion ; fo that in the dry fea- 
foil the height ©f the periodical flood may be known by that 
of the bank.. 
I am aware of an obje&ion that may be made to the above 
folution ; which is, that the lownef& of the banks in places 
near the fea, is the true reafon why the floods do not attain fo 
confiderable a height, as in places farther removed from it, and: 
where the banks are high; for that the river, wanting a. bank, 
to confine it, diffufes itfelf over the furface of the country. In. 
* The tides in the River Amazons are perceptible at 600 miles above its 
mouth; but at an elevation of only 90'feet, according.to M. r>E comdamine. It 
remains to be told what the ftate of the river was at the time of making the 
experiment ; becaufe the land-floods have, the effect of ihoftening the limits of the 
tide’s way.. 
f The Count de b.uf.fon has {lightly mentioned this circumftance attending 
thefwelling of- rivers; but imputes it to the increafed velocity of the current, as 
the river approaches the fea : which, fays he, carries off the inundation fo 
quick, as to abate its height. Now (with the utmoft deference to fo great an. 
authority)'! could never perceive, that the current,, either, in the Ganges, or any 
other river, was ftrcnger near the fea than at a diftance from it. Even if we 
admit an acceleration of the current during the ebb tide, the flux retards it in fo 
confiderable a degree, as at leaft to counter • balan , ? the effects produced by the 
temporary increafe of velocity. 
anfwer 
