'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎143] (252/496)

contains a very large proportion of carbonate of soda in general, but slightly
contaminated by the muriate. This bed rarely exceeds ten or fifteen feet thick,
and rests immediately on the basalt forming the bed of the river. In the dry
season, botli these salts form a thick efflorescence on the surface of the bank, and
this alone is collected by the natives. That from the lower bed forms an article
of export for the use of the washermen, &c. &c.; but the soda itself is not extract
ed like the common salt, nor is its value but in the above way known.
^ ^ ^ #
“ The bed of the Nerbudda, consisting, as already remarked, for a considerable
portion of its course of basaltic rocks, gives rise to numerous shallows and small
falls. Of these, the three principal are, one at Deyree, where the river is much
contracted; a second at Semadarah, a little below Mhysir; and a third at the
Hurn Phal, or Deer’s Leap, below Chiculdah : whence, till its entrance into
Guzerat, the stream finds its way contracted to within half its usual breadth between
two hilly ranges, and its course being much impeded, so as to render navigation
impracticable, by large masses and elevated ridges of the rock.
“ Passing higher up the stream from Mundleysir, the Northern bank, after
about thirty miles, becomes rocky and precipitous, and consists of gently inclined
beds, chiefly of greenstone slate, containing interposed mica in small grains. But
the island of Mundatta and part of the opposite bank appear mostly to consist of
hornstone slate of a reddish or greenish grey, and sometimes porphyritic. Above
this fora considerable distance is, on each bank, a very wild woody tract, resem
bling that already noticed below Chiculdah, excepting that the river is in general
deep, and less obstructed by rocks.
“ This part consists of a succession of low hills and deep ravines and water
courses, is covered with high thick forests, and is scarcely capable of being travel
led in most parts for seven or eight miles from the river by any but foot passen
gers. Iron ore abounds ; but the country being almost desolate, it is only smelted
at Kantcole and Chandgurh, for the supply of the Indore and neighbouring
markets. It is of a good quality, but from the imperfect mode of working, tho
metal is little valued, excepting for common purposes. The hilly tract below
Chiculdah is better populated, chiefly by wild Blieel tribes; and nearer Broach
on the Southern hank are the Rajpeeply hills, inhabited by the Coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. tribe. In
these hills are situated the several cornelian mines, of which a concise account has
been given by Doctor Copland, in the first volume of the Bombay Literary
Transactions. From Burwaee to Chiculdah, the whole valley, from the Satpoora
to the Vindhya mountains, is nearly level, well watered, cultivated, and in
habited.”
Supplement to Note on the Navigation of the Nerbudda River.
To make the Note more complete, a few extracts have been made from a paper
VHo tv t mi i 011 ^ ie Nerbudda river, by Lieutenant E. P. Del’Hoste, 16th
.oca ic cm. j> e gj men ^ j ^ f 0Ullc [ i n the Volume of Transactions
of the Bombay Geographical Society from 1836 to 1838,
The information afforded by Lieutenant DelTIoste, although procured by him
in 1820, will best find a place here, as it relates only to the
TOf Portion II.] portion of the stream between Soolpan and Tulluckwara. This
6. Lieiu. L)el Hoste officer informs us that he left Tulluckwara iu April 1829,
with the intention of following the course of the river towards
its source as far as he could. He got as far as Soolpan,*
at which point he writes, that ,c the stream of the river, from being from 60 to 100
yards broad, suddenly narrows to about CO feet, and on each side is hemmed
“ in with steep precipices ; the middle of the river is also studded with large
“ rocks, and the stream, even at this season, rushes through the intervals with
cc surprising rapidity, dashing large pieces of wood which were floating down,
^ ide Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from 1836 to 1838, No. VI., p. 174*