DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0020
IN THE UUItMHAN EMPIRE. 11
grounds ; to the southward, and westward of the
river (the meanderings of which are seen for many
miles) is an extensive plain of paddy-grounds
bounded by deep forests. The soil of the valleys
is a sandy loam, covered with fine luxuriant pas-
ture of grass highly nutritive, as is evinced by the
appearance of the cattle, which are as large and
in as good condition as I have ever seen in any
part of India. The soil of the knolls, or little
hills, appeared to be a red loam mixed with sand,
on a basis of red rock, that seems to have under-
gone, the action of volcanic fire. It is friable,
and broken on the surface into gravel, and seems
to contain a large portion of iron. The roads at
present are very indifferent, but might very easily
be rendered good and fit for carriages. In the
vicinity of the town are several orchards of fruit-
trees, and many pleasant situations for building.
The air is pure and elastic, and as yet I have not
found the heat oppressive. The general salubrity
of the air is best evinced by its effects; the inha-
bitants, male and female, arc a hale robust race;
and strangers in general preserve their health, or
recover soon if they arrive sick. There were
twelve or fourteen in the sick list on board the
Swallow when we arrived, and now there are only
two, and these have been long ill with violent
dysenteries ; among my own suite there is not one
sick.
grounds ; to the southward, and westward of the
river (the meanderings of which are seen for many
miles) is an extensive plain of paddy-grounds
bounded by deep forests. The soil of the valleys
is a sandy loam, covered with fine luxuriant pas-
ture of grass highly nutritive, as is evinced by the
appearance of the cattle, which are as large and
in as good condition as I have ever seen in any
part of India. The soil of the knolls, or little
hills, appeared to be a red loam mixed with sand,
on a basis of red rock, that seems to have under-
gone, the action of volcanic fire. It is friable,
and broken on the surface into gravel, and seems
to contain a large portion of iron. The roads at
present are very indifferent, but might very easily
be rendered good and fit for carriages. In the
vicinity of the town are several orchards of fruit-
trees, and many pleasant situations for building.
The air is pure and elastic, and as yet I have not
found the heat oppressive. The general salubrity
of the air is best evinced by its effects; the inha-
bitants, male and female, arc a hale robust race;
and strangers in general preserve their health, or
recover soon if they arrive sick. There were
twelve or fourteen in the sick list on board the
Swallow when we arrived, and now there are only
two, and these have been long ill with violent
dysenteries ; among my own suite there is not one
sick.