built on the bank's of the rivers, which, as is the case in most alluvia-l
tracts, are raised by the annual flood deposits to a higher level' than .
that of the surrounding ëountry, and -stand out above the waste of
waters fike islands in a lake. The central and eastern portion con-
sists of a brôad plain, covered with rice-fields, and dotted over with ,
hamlets émbôwèred in groves of fruit trees and bamboos. On the
north the Khasi Hills rise abruptly like a wall from the lèvel of
the plain: On the south the Tippers Hills throw out eight spurs
into the valley, the highest of which is about ,T,ooo feet above
sea-level. In thèir natural state these hills are ové'rgrown with grass
and low scrub jungle, but many have been éleared for the cultivation
of tea.
Thè river system of Sylhet is constituted by the Baràk or SURM~,
with its many tributaries and offshoots. This river enters the District
from Câchâr, and' forthwith bifurcates into two branches. One, under
thè name of the Surmâ, flows bénéath the hills bordering the north of
the District ; the othér, called the Kusiyârâ, runs in a south-westerly
direction, and thè two unite again near the south-western boundary
to fall into the estuary of the Meghnâ. The principal tributariès on
the north bank are the Lubha, thé BOGAPANI, and the JAnux~TA, while
from the Lushai and Tippers Hills come the SINGLA, the LANGAh the
MArrv, and the KHOWAI. Thère are no lakes in the ordinary méaning
of the term, but the low-lying haors, or swamps, are a peculiar feature
of the District. During the rains they become filled 'with water;
but in the cold season this dries up, except in the very centre of the
basin, and the land affords excellent pasturage or can be sown, with
mustard or early rice. The submerged area is being steadily rèducèd
by the deposit of silt, and in course of time these basins will no doubt
be raised above flood-level.
The plain presents the usual characteristics of an alluvial. tract, but
t'ne -process of deltaic formation has proceeded slowly; and the town
of Sylhet is only 48 feet above sea-level. Thé low ranges:of hills are,
for the most part, composed of sandstone of Upper Tertiary origin,
and the tilas are formed of layers of sand, clay, and gravel,,. highly
indurated by a ferruginous cement.
The'vegètation of the plains of Sylhet does not differ materially from
that of Eastern Bengal. Thé marshes are covered with grasses and
reeds, and during the rainy sèason with . floating islands of aquatic
plants and sedges. The low hills are clothed with scrub, and towards
the south with forest.
Wild animals are npt common, except at thé foot of thè hills,
where elephants, tigers, leopards, wild hog, and deer are found. Teal
and wild duck abound in the low-lying marshy country to the west,
.and in the Jaintiâ plains to the east ; and wild geese, jungle-fowl, and
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