y places
nothing is visible but water, in which huge plains of floating grasses
occur. The villages are very numerous, and occupy in fact almost every
spot of ground not subject ordinarily to inundation. Damasonium Indicum,
Nymphaea pubescens occur in profusion. The grass which exists in such
vast quantities is, I believe, Oplismenus stagninus. The water of these
jheels is clear, black when deep, which it often is to a great extent.

_Wednesday_, _13th_.--Reached Dacca about 2 P.M.: it is a large and
populous place. The numerous grass of the jheels is sown there: it is
the red bearded _dhan_ or paddy grass: of this vast quantities are cut
for fodder, for, the whole face of the country being overflowed, it
follows that the cattle are throughout the rains kept in stalls.

_Thursday_, _14th_.--Left about noon, and proceeded down the Dacca river
about 5 miles, then diverged into a narrow creek running nearly south.
Along this were observed fine specimens of tamarind trees. Stravadium in
abundance. Sonninia scandens, and Mango, both in abundance. Passed at 5
P.M. Neerangunge, a large native town, and below it Luckepoor. A vast
expanse of water appeared near this, viz., the Megna. A good deal of
native shipping occurs, consisting of brigs: great quantities of rice
being exported from both places. Pelicans I observed here to roost in
trees.

[View in the jheels: p154.jpg]

Friday, 15th.--In the midst of jheels: the whole face of the country is
covered with water several feet deep. Vast quantities of Oplismenus
stagninus still occur.

_Saturday_, _16th_.--Still in jheels. The same features continue. The
country is still very populous, all the more elevated spots having
villages. Oplismenus stagninus still prevails in vast quantities.

_Sunday_, _17th_.--Jheels in every direction:--nothing indeed seen but
water, with occasional grassy or reedy, and elevated spots occupied by
villages:--here and there a round-headed tree springing apparently out of
the water. Hills visible to the east. Cormorants, Ciconia nudiceps,
paddy-birds, the common white ones with black feet, are abundant, and
associate in flocks: there is one very nearly allied to this, which is
solitary, having black feet with yellow toes. The boats of this district
are very simple, something like a Bengal _dingy_ reversed, but they are
sharp in the bows and ought to be fast; their only mode of progression is
to be pushed along by means of poles.