Ganges and Burrampooter 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- 
prefling 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 circumftances take place in the Jellinghy, Hoogly, 
and Burrampooter Rivers; and, I fuppofe, in all others that 
are fubjedt either to periodical or occafional fwellings. 
Not only does the flood' diminifh near the fea, but the river 
banks diminifh in the fame proportion ; fo that in the dry fea- 
foil the height of the periodical flood may be known by that, 
of the bank. 
I am aware of an objection that may be made to the above 
folution ; which is, that the lownefs of the banks in places 
near the fea, is the true realon why the floods do not attain fo 
conflderable 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. de condamine. It 
e mains to be told what the fla te of the river was at the time of making the 
experiment ; becaufe the land-floods have the effect of fliorfcening the limits of the 
tide’s way. 
f The Count de buffon has {lightly mentioned this, circumflance 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) I could toever perceive, that the current, either in the Ganges^ or any 
other river, was ftronger 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 
conflderable a degree, , as at leaA to counterbalam? the effects produced by the 
temporary increafe of velocity. 
