History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.20

v1.c24.s6.20

He mentions the depth at which water will be available, the nature of the water, the direction in which it flows, the type of stones and soil to be met at different levels and fish, frogs, rats, snakes and tortoise to be noticed (verses 6-85). The depth at which water is indicated for a desert land (*marudeśa*) is not applicable to a *jāṅgala* land (with little water). In the case of *anupa* land (with much water), if certain specified trees are found in ant-hills, then water will be at a distance of three persons length (*puruṣas*), in *jāṅgala* land at a distance of five *puruṣas* and in *maru* land at a distance of seven *puruṣas* (verses 86-89). There are general indications of the presence of water in the form of colour and nature of soil, availability of vegetation on them, and the presence of anthills and insects without home (verses 90-96).