'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎60] (87/268)

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proceedings of the
McMurdo tells us that a vessel of con^derable s.ze was dug up
out of the Runu, and that within the memory of man sma 1 boats
bad sailed over it. In fact, it ts umversally adnntted tha the
Runn is upheaved sea bottom, upheaved by volcanic ac ion , and there
is little doubt that it is again, by the same action, being depressed.
McMurdo in his report to Government of October 2nd, 181.1, says—
“The boundaries of the Runn are as distinctly defined as those of the
sea They consist of alow rising bank, covered with vegetation distinct
from the barren sand of the Runn. The banks are nowhere higher
than sand hillocks- Many inlets or small branches of the Runn
penetrate into the country, all bearing the characteristic appearance
of the Runn, which is that of a sandy desert, a perfect plain in appear
ance, with the “ Bheers” or elevated ridges above mentioned, extending
longitudinally like islands. There is not a blade of vegetation on the
Runn itself. It has every appearance of the sea having shortly with
drawn from it. This is supported by the semblance and production of
the neighbouring ' country; and large stones are found on this shore,
several miles from the present Runn, of a description similar to those
used as anchors—they have holes bored through for the cable- On the
shore at different places are shown small ancient buildings called dan-
derees, or houses where the dan, or customs, were collected ; and in
short it is a tradition in the country that Khor, a village two miles
east of Teekur, was a seaport town about fifty years since. The wreck
of a vessel of a size far beyond that of any of the craft now in use in
the Gulf of Cutch was discovered at Wowannia, sunk in the mud about
fifteen feet. The sea is gradually encroaching there, and has assumed
the shape of a deep and narrow creek, which at low water is left dry.
As the bank was carried away the wreck became exposed, and the
timber was used in the village of Wowannia for fuel. There was no
iron in the vessel; she was bound by cordage of coir. These circum
stances would induce a belief that at some former period the Gulf of
Cutch penetrated very high up to the eastward, although it is a well-
known fact that it has been increasing for these last hundred years,
during which period it has been much enlarged.” This paragraph was
written fitty-one years ago, and thirty years ago Grant gave additional
evidence of oscillations in the level of the Runn. It is now certain
that the Runn is gradually sinking, and that the sea is year by ye® 1 ’