Dr Christie (yii the Meteorology, Geology, ^c. 99 



All the eastern part of the Southern Mahratta Dooab, from 

 the Sungum* of the Kistnah and Tumboodra, to near the Bri- 

 tish frontier, consists of granite f ; but west of that, viz. in the 

 British territory, it only occurs occasionally, protruding in a 

 few spots through the schists by which it is covered. It also 

 occurs in the southern parts of the district ; the Mysore gra- 

 nite extending, in some places, as far as, but seldom much be- 

 yond, the frontier. But although it be met with in compara^- 

 tively small quantity in this district ; yet, considering its very 

 great importance as connected with the general geognosy of In- 

 dia, I will not confine myself to the appearances exhibited by 

 the few specimens met with here ; but will also avail myself of 

 the observations I have been enabled to make on the granite in 

 other parts of the peninsula. 



The granitic tracts of India exhibit the same general features 

 as granitic countries in other parts of the world. Rugged hills, 

 with bold denticulated outlines, lie heaped together in the great- 

 est irregularity, or occasionally form an obscure ridge, the crest 

 of which, when interposed between the spectator and the even- 

 ipg or morning sun, presents the most fantastic forms. Some of 

 these ridges, when their dark outline is seen at twilight, against 

 a ruddy western sky, emulate, in their varied forms, the capri- 

 cious shapes of summer clouds ; and we can then trace along 

 their summits the appearances of castles, trees, men, and various 

 fantastic groups. Many of the hills have the appearance of col- 

 lections of large fragments of rock thrown confusedly together 

 by some convulsion of nature ; while frequently larger masses, 

 piled with great regularity on each other, look like the gigantic 

 remains of cyclopcan architecture. Huge insulated masses, 

 forming considerable hills, in many instances, rise abruptly out 

 of a plain," to a height of several hundred feet, and present near- 

 ly perpendicular faces on several of their sides ; thus affording 

 situations of immense natural strength, which have almost inva- 

 riably been taken advantage of by the natives for the erection of 



• Sungum signifies the angle of land formed by the junction of two rivers. 

 I Consult the Map in the last number of the Journal, and the section in 

 this Number. Owing to the exact boundaries of the different formations not 

 having been ascertained, they could not be coloured on the Map ; and their 

 general situation, therefore, has only been inserted. 



