02 Mr- rennell’s Account of the 
Coffimbuzar and Jeilinghy Rivers, unite and form what is 
afterwards named the Hoogly River, which is the port of 
Calcutta, and the only branch of the Ganges that is commonly 
navigated by fhips The Coffimbuzar River is a 1 mo ft dry 
from Oftober to May ; and the Jellinghy River (although a 
ftream runs in it the whole year) is in fome years unnavigable 
during two or three of the dryeft months ; fo that the only 
fubordinate branch of the Ganges, that is at all times naviga- 
ble, is the Chundnah River, which feparates at Moddapour, 
and terminates in the Hooringotta. 
That part of the Delta bordering on the fea, is compofed of 
a labyrinth of rivers and creeks, all of which are fait, except 
thofe that immediately communicate with the principal arm 
of the Ganges. This trad, known by the name of the 
Woods, or Sunderbunds, is in extent equal to the principality 
of Wales ; and is fo completely enveloped in woods, and in- 
fefted with'Tygers, that if any attempts have ever been made 
to clear jt (as is reported) they have hitherto mifcarried. Its 
numerous canals are fo difpofed as to form a compleat inland 
navigation throughout and acrofs the lower part of the Delta, 
without either the delay of going round the head of it, or the 
hazard of putting to fea. Here fait, in quantities equal to the 
whole confumption of Bengal and its dependencies, is made 
* The Hoogly River, or wefternmoft branch of the Ganges, has a much 
deeper outlet to the fea than the principal branch. Probably this may be owing to 
its precipitating a lefs quantity of mud than the other the quantity of the 
Ganges water difeharged here being lefs than in the other in the proportion of one 
to fix. From the difficulties that occur in navigating the entrance of the Hoogly 
River, many are led to fuppofe, that the channels are fhallow. The difficulties, 
however, arife from bringing the ffiips acrofs fome of the fand-banks, which pro- 
ject fo far into the fea, that the channels between them cannot ealily be traced 
from without. 
4 
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