DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4651#0028
18 JOURNAL OP A RESIDENCE
their cattle in it, supposing it strengthening. But
they, as well as the Europeans, who frequently
bathe in it, are unconscious of its real medical
qualities; and till this day I had no opportunity
myself of examining this pool; for the general belief
of all whom I have questioned on the subject,
both here and at Calcutta, is, that it contains
merely a solution of alum; a very natural con-
clusion for those who have only been guided by
their taste. This current opinion, added to
the tale of the Pagoda Hill having been raised
by art, is a strong proof of the facility of popular
belief: a trait in the human character which tra-
vellers should ever guard against.
Although what I call a Quoin ends at the pa-
goda, yet the high land by no means terminates
there, but branches out in other ridges extending
far beyond the limits of my excursions, in various
directions. In a fork between two of these ridges,
the water during the rains forces a passage, and
forms a cascade of about 14 feet perpendicular ;
here we have a natural section of the soil, where
the various strata are laid bare, and may be ex-
amined with accuracy. The fall has also scooped
a deep basin, where the water, from evaporation
in the dry season, becomes highly astringent:
Wherever the blue ponderous stone (which forms
the sixth stratum) has been laid bare by the mon-
soon torrents, and is exposed to the rays of the
their cattle in it, supposing it strengthening. But
they, as well as the Europeans, who frequently
bathe in it, are unconscious of its real medical
qualities; and till this day I had no opportunity
myself of examining this pool; for the general belief
of all whom I have questioned on the subject,
both here and at Calcutta, is, that it contains
merely a solution of alum; a very natural con-
clusion for those who have only been guided by
their taste. This current opinion, added to
the tale of the Pagoda Hill having been raised
by art, is a strong proof of the facility of popular
belief: a trait in the human character which tra-
vellers should ever guard against.
Although what I call a Quoin ends at the pa-
goda, yet the high land by no means terminates
there, but branches out in other ridges extending
far beyond the limits of my excursions, in various
directions. In a fork between two of these ridges,
the water during the rains forces a passage, and
forms a cascade of about 14 feet perpendicular ;
here we have a natural section of the soil, where
the various strata are laid bare, and may be ex-
amined with accuracy. The fall has also scooped
a deep basin, where the water, from evaporation
in the dry season, becomes highly astringent:
Wherever the blue ponderous stone (which forms
the sixth stratum) has been laid bare by the mon-
soon torrents, and is exposed to the rays of the