Mr Christie on Meteorology ^ Geology, ^c. 293 



the following observations, it is to be understood in the above 

 extended sense. 



The Gauts above Goa, and which form part of the western 

 boundary of the district, have an elevation of 2500 or 2600 

 feet, above the level of the sea, whence the country gradually 

 slopes to the Tumboodra, which is about 1500 feet above the 

 level of the sea *. In this part of India, there is nothing liko 

 mountainous scenery, except immediately under the western face 

 of the Gauts ; for as soon as you attain their summits in pro- 

 ceeding eastward, you are on the inclined plain which shelves to 

 the eastern coast ; and the general declination of which, is only 

 interrupted by gentle hills, which seldom attain a height of above 

 two or three hundred feet. 



Immediately to the east of the Gauts, the country continues 

 hilly for about thirty or forty miles ; the hills being covered with 

 wood, which becomes gradually thinner, and more stunted, to- 

 wards the east. Beyond this hilly tract, as far as the eastern 

 frontier of the district, the country consists of extensive plains, 

 intersected in different places by long narrow ranges of sandstone 

 hills, with even summits. 



This particular configuration of the country, gives rise to 

 striking -peculiarities in its climate ; and, consequently, in the 

 vegetable and animal productions of its different parts. This 

 circumstance renders it susceptible of a very natural division into 

 three distinct parts ; viz. into the western or hilly part, the 

 plains which occupy all the central and eastern parts of the dis- 

 trict, and the ranges of sandstone hills, which intersect these 

 plains. 



The summits and western face of the Gauts afford, in many 

 places, the most savage, and, at the same time, beautiful scenery. 

 A boundless forest of gigantic trees, with the utmost variety of 

 foliage, covers the highest hills, and penetrates into the deepest re- 

 cesses of the valleys. In some places, enormous masses of black 

 rock, which appear to have been rent from the neighbouring 

 hills, rise high over the tops of the woods, and form a fine con- 

 trast to the rich green of the surrounding foliage. Wherever 



• The different altitudes whicli are stated in the following observations, 

 were ascertained by Major CuUen of the Madras Artillery, by barometrical 

 measurement. 



