On several places in Sub-Division Banka» 
27 
1871.] 
of about 60 or 70 feet. A column of water from so great a height 
swelled by the water of the preceding smaller waterfalls, must 
during the rains present a sight at once picturesque and grand. 
We observed some huge pieces of stones torn by it from the side 
of the hill and lying about the basin into which the water falls. 
Afterwards we proceeded to the brink of the precipice from which 
the five virgins are said to have thrown themselves into the chasm 
below. 
About half a mile west of Panchkumar, stands another hill at 
the foot of which are the Kaldaha and Maldaha, two deep basins 
of water in the bed of the Man. In the former a mysterious 
iron chain is said to hang from the sides of the hill, the ob¬ 
ject of which is not known. The upper end of this chain is fixed 
to the rock, and the lower is supposed to support some thing mys¬ 
terious, which no strength has yet been able to lift out of the water. 
We could not see the chain, as even the upper end is not visible 
till the water subsides considerably in March or April. 
About half a mile from the Kaldaha, may be seen the river 
Haha, as it glides down the hill on which it takes its rise. 
This place is well known for a species of fish called ‘Khajur,’ 
which is said to live almost solely on milk, and is considered 
very delicious. The inhabitants in the neighbourhood own large 
herds of buffaloes, and as these animals delight in lying in the 
water for hours, the Khajur has no difficulty in finding the food 
on which it subsists. The fishes are occasionally seen hanging by 
the teats of the buffaloes, if the latter happen to rise suddenly from 
the water. 
When wishing to catch these fishes, the natives drive herds of 
buffaloes into the water and then throw a net near them. The 
Khajur is not found anywhere else. 
II. 
On various places situated in Sub-Division Banka , Bhdgalpur . 
23 rd August , 1869.—The following legend is related regard¬ 
ing the origin of Somokhia, a place about six miles north-west 
of Banka. The founder of the Ghatwal family of the place, 
named Grautam Panday, was employed as astrologer to the 
