In some of the older Indian canals it was the custom to place the heads of distributaries, not just above a fall but several hundred feet above it, the idea being that the distributary then received less silt. This practice has now been discontinued. There is no valid reason for following it. The question whether, when a channel crosses a road on the skew, a skew bridge should be constructed or curves introduced into the road or channel, is one which requires some consideration. As far as possible the lines of channels should be fixed so as to cross important[10] roads on the square or with a small angle of skew. In the case of main canals or branches, the introduction of special curves is generally out of the question, but if the road is not straight something can be done by shifting the line one way or the other. In the case of “major” distributaries, curves can to some extent be introduced. In the case of “minor” distributaries it is often possible to curve the channel, with a radius of say 500 feet, so that it will cross the road at right angles. There is very little objection to a skew bridge if the angle of skew is not great. The angle of crossing having been made as near to 90° as possible, the bridge can be made skew though not necessarily so much askew as the road. Slight curves can be introduced into the road. When the road is made askew, a bridge on the square involves at least three considerable curves (Fig. 7) and the taking up of extra land. It also causes, in perpetuity most likely, a more or less inconvenient and unsightly arrangement and one which, in most countries, would not be tolerated. When the angle of skew is not great, it is best to introduce no curve at all into the road. In the case of a “village” road, which may be more or less undefined and liable to be shifted, the difficulty about land may not be great, but even in this case the angle of crossing should, if possible, be kept near to 90°, especially in the case of minors, and where curves have to be introduced into the road they should be suitable ones. Abrupt angles are not only unsightly but are unfair to the cart drivers. The crossings of village roads by the minors of a certain great modern canal have been stigmatised as “hideous.” Indian canals can afford to do work properly. [10] In India “district” and “provincial” roads. [Illustration: FIG. 7.]