Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/16

 8 HAR white, or yellow sand wholly unmixed with clay is met with at a depth of from twelve to thirty-five feet. For the first twenty miles from the border of the Lucknow district, proceeding north, the sand is met at an average distance of twenty feet, the extremes being seventeen feet, and for about two miles on each side the river Baita thirty feet. Above the sand is first a stratum of black clay from two to ten feet thick, above that again sandy clay averaging about six feet, and above that the surface soil, a red clay averaging about eight feet thick. Throughout this tract, the wells can generally be dug without masonry linings. From Kachhona to Hardoi, about twenty miles further, forming the basin of the Sai, the sand comes nearer the surface, averaging about fifteen feet beneath the upper soil, which consists of sandy clay with a thin topping of yellow clay, while for aboutthree miles on each side of the Sai the floods have deposited a surface-dressing of pure sand. Throughout this area wells cannot last without a masonry lining, unless they merely collect the surface percola- tions. Beyond Hardoi the bottom sand sinks somewhat, and when the series of jhíls round Pipri, half-way between Hardoi and Shahabad, is reached, the sand gives place to a blue sandy clay; this break was apparently caused by the channel of some ancient river. The sand again approaches the surface for the last six miles before reaching Shahabad. Throughout half of this section these wells should stand with- out a masonry lining Lakes. There are a number of large jhíls or lakes in the district; those of Sándi, Rodaman, and several near Kachhopa and Báwan are the most remarkable. That of Sándi is three miles long and one to two broad, the land on either side rising high above the water ; one or two large groves add their sombre shades to the light tints of the spring crops, and the emerald gloss of the lotus leaves covers large expanses of the lake. In the inner recess of the valley the waters are still and of a deep-blue, but where the surrounding eminences widen out, the wind moves the surface into sheets of grey rippling wavelets, and often in the centre of the lake sudden gusts drive the water before it in green billows and bursts of white foam. None of the other lakes are so large or deep. That at Rodamau is a fine sheet of water, specially interesting because from its waters rise the ruined walls of an old mud fort, the scene of one of the most mourn- ful tragedies of the Indian struggle in 1857, and in a little grove near at hand rest the remains of Brigadier-General Adrian Hope and his brave companions in armg. The jhíls are largely used for purposes of irrigation, no less than 126,000 acres being watered from them. Nearly all produce the singhára or waternut in abundance. The Hardoi wild-fowl shootings are famous. Forests. There are a number of great jungles still in existence. All along the Sai, past Tandiaon and Pihani, dense jungle is still found, coming down from pargana Kasta, through which it joins the woods which skirt the river Kathna, and along its banks blends with the great forest of the tarái. Down these promontories of the primeval woods, stretching far intc the cultivated lands, came down robber bands, the Bachhils of Atwa, Piparia, the Pásis of the Bangar, Mitauli, and Abrori in Gopamau, tae