'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎176] (309/458)

176
GEOLOGY OF BOMBAY.
the place of the feet-washing, and traditions still exist to the effect that
the sea flowed from the west up to the former of these, until excluded
by the embankment from Mahaluximee to Love Grove, constructed
above a century ago. Pae Dhonee was a ferry, where persons arriving
from Salsette used to wash their feet in a salt creek in approaching
Bombay ; Mahaluximee was formerly only accessible from Bombay by
boats.* It is singular that we should have no more direct information
than this to go upon as to the physical condition of Bombay when sur
rendered by the Portuguese to the English little more than two cen
turies ago; but it is clear, from what we know, that at this period
Col aba formed two islands, the lesser of these being known as Old
Woman’s Island, describe d by Dr. Freyer as “ a dry sandy spot, of no
further value to the Comp any than as affording grass to their antelopes
and other beasts of pleasure. ,, The space now occupied by the Fort, and
a part of the Native Town up to Pae Dhonee, formed a second, and it is
probable, from the aspect of the shore, that this was united to Malabar
Hill by the sandy ri dge betwixt Girgaum road and the sea,—a
very slight diminution of the existing altitude would have allowed
the sea to sweep clean through from Mahim to Back Bay. Though
the sea must at no distant period have swept across from Love-Grove
to the Harbour just to the south of Chinchpoogly Hill, it is not quite
apparent that it did so within the time specified—at present the Parell
road is considerably under high-water mark. From this on to Sion,
the land must have been continuous back to the period when the
existing levels were established. The last upheaval seems to have ele
vated the island from eight to ten feet, and a depression to this extent
would have greatly multiplied the number of islands constituting the
group; the sandy flats, subsequently only covered over at high-water,
being then for the most part in a state of continual submergence.
The scenery must then have been still more picturesque than at pre
sent, when yet more beautiful by Nature, and undeformed by the
outrages on Architecture prevailing amongst us.
19.—If the reader has carefully consulted the map and sections
while perusing the text, he may probably consider the general topo
graphical account of the island just given sufficient: it includes in
some of the information about to be furnished in detail, an d therefo re
* Abridged from a very able paper by Mr. Murphy on tUe Aborigine* BOOibey*^ 1 ^*
Ut vol. of the Trans, of the Bombay Geographical Society,
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