Game, poultry, and water fowl of all descriptions, are found in the greatest abundance in Bengal. Ducks, particularly, are here in great variety and ex cellence ; and the common domestic fowl of Europe, run wild in the woods, and are called therefore the jungle fowl. In consequence of the humanity of the natives towards the lower animals, the crow, kite, mino, and sparrow, hop about the dwellings of the Bengalese with entire familiarity ; and even in the houses of the English, pilfer from the dishes of meat, as they are carried from the cook-room to the hall. A large species of stork, ludicrously termed the adjutant, from his erect posture and military strut, stalks at his ease at the side of the natives, and de vours abundance of toads, lizards, serpents, and in sects. Among the feathered tribes, may be particu larly mentioned, the argill or hurgill, a 'species of ardea, which is very large and ravenous, and which is held in great veneration by the Brahmins.
The inland commerce of Bengal is carried on chiefly 'with Thibet, Agra, and Delhi. The prin cipal articles are silks, calicoes, muslins, saltpetre, opium, sugar, indigo, gum lac, with a variety of piece goods, which pass almost entirely through the agents of the company. The exportation of grain from the corn countries, and the importation of salt, constitute the greater part of this trade in the hands of the natives. The importation of cotton from the western provinces, and the exchange of tobacco and betel nut, form almost the whole supply of internal consumption. Some part of this mercliandize is trans ported by land carriage, which is commonly perform ed by oxen, sometimes by the small horses of the country, and rarely by buffaloes ; because though those animals are both stronger and more docile than oxen, they arc less easily maintained. The magnifi cent causeways, formerly constructed by the native princes, are now fallen into decay. The country af fords no substantial materials for the formation of highways ; and, except in the neighbourhood of mi litary stations, there are no roads sufficient to admit the use of wheel carriages. These disadvantages, however, are abundantly compensated bX,the facili ty with which internal navigation is conducted. So completely are the various branches of the Ganges and the Burrampooter diffused over the flat country, that scarcely any part of this large province is above twenty-five miles distant from a navigable river. The wood, salt, and provisions of many millions of people, are conveyed along these channels by 30,000 men, who are the most laborious and hardy race in India. " These rivers are in a state of tranquillity,
from the time of the change of the monsoon in Oc tober to the middle of March, when the northwesters begin in the eastern parts of Belgal, and may be ex pected once in three or four days, until the com mencement of the rainy season. These north-westers arc the most formidable enemies that :Ye met with in the inland navigation, being sudden and violent, squalls of wind and rain, and though of no long duration, are often attended with fatal effects if not carefully guarded against ; whole fleets of trading boats having been sunk by them almost instantane ously. They are more frequent in the eastern, than in the western part of Bengal ; and . happen oftener towards the close of the day,"than at any As they are indicated some hours before they arrive, by the rising and very singular appearance of the clouds, the traveller has commonly time enough to seek a place of shelter. It is in the great rivers alone, that they 'are so truly formidable ; and that about the latter end of May and beginning of June, when the rivers are much increased in width. " During. the long interval between the end of the rainy season anarthe beginning of the northwesters, one proceeds in security, with respect to weather ; and has only to observe a common degree of attention to the piloting. the boat clear of shallows . and stumps of trees." " From the beginning of November to the latter end of May, the usual rate of going with. the • stream is 4.0 miles in a day of 12 hours ; and during the rest of the year from 50 to 70 miles : The current is strongest, while the waters of the inundation are draining off ; which happens in part of August and September." " Seventeen or twenty miles a day, according to the ground, and the number of impedi ments, is the greatest distance that a large budgerour can be towed against the stream during the fair sea son ; and to accomplish this, the boat must be drawn at the rate of per hour, through the water, for twelve hours." (Rennel's Memoir, The vessels, employed in this navigation, are vanously" constructed, according to the nature of the rivers on which they are employed ; and are of various sizes, from eight to twenty-four oars. Some have cabins 14 feet wide, and proportionably long ; and draw from 4 to 5 feet water : the larger boats upon the Ganges carry from 300 to 600 mauns.