a river of Hindustan, rising in the British district of Shahabad, within the presidency of Bengal. It is only remarkable in differing from the other streams of India in that Hindus are forbidden to touch it. Pilgrims consequently cross it with the utmost caution, as it is believed that contact with its baneful waters destroys the efficacy of their religious austerities. The legendary ground of the abhorrence in which it is held is variously reported. According to one authority, a certain rajah committed the heinous sins of murdering a Brahmin and marrying a stepmother. A good-natured saint took compassion on the guilty man, and removed his impurity, by collecting water from all the sacred streams in the world and washing him in this powerful bath, which was made on the place whence the Caramnassa (deprived of virtue) has ever since flowed. According to another account, the rajah, relying on his religious austerities and spells, attempted to ascend to heaven, but was opposed by the gods, who suspended him halfway with his head downwards. From his mouth issues a baneful saliva, which infects the waters of the Caramnassa with the baneful qualities attributed to them. The Caramnassa falls into the Ganges on the right side, in Lat. 25° 8', Long. 83° 58'.