130 DR. HOOKER'S MISSION TO INDIA. 
tinually resounded in our ears, together with the hooting bark of the 
monkeys. There were also a few Floricans, (a kind of bustard, the best 
eating game-bird in India), and innumerable pigeons. From the 
defile we emerged on an open flat, and saw the advance-tent pitched a 
few miles off, by the village of Sulkun. 
Sulkun is a scattered village, peopled by a bold-looking race, who 
habitually carry the spear and shield. We had here the pleasure of 
meeting an English face in Mr. Felle, a gentleman employed in the 
Revenue department; this being one of the roads, along which the 
natives transport their salt, sugar, &c., from one province to another. 
I spent the afternoon in examining the rocky hill, round whose base 
we had wound. At its foot runs a small stream, full of Conferve, 
Vallisneria, and a bulbous plant, out of flower: the rocks are green 
with a Fissidens and Riccia. These rocks were of stratified limestone; 
the strata containing large depressed spheres of the same mineral, in 
horizontal layers, varying from the size of a child's head to much 
greater dimensions, excessively hard, and not coated or laminated 
internally. Ascended the hill which is covered with long grass and 
low bushes, principally of Pterospermum and Diospyros. 
The narrow, flat top was formed of a thick layer of sandstone rock, 
perpendicular all round, except at a broken place or two: it was also 
covered with trees, consisting mainly of the Cochlospermum and Catechu: 
the largest were two species of Fig, which clung to the edges, and by 
forcing their roots in the crevices of the rock, detached enormous 
SE blocks, weighing very many tons, which rolled down the hill. 
rom this summit, the view of rock, plain, forest, and river was very 
fine. To the North the eye roamed over the undulating plains, bounded 
by precipitous hills ;—West, the Kymaor or Vindhya range rose again 
in rugged elevations ;—South, flowed the Soane, backed by ranges of 
wooded hills, smoking like volcanos with the fires of the natives. - 
Below, lay the bed of the stream we had left at the foot of the hills, 
cutting its way through the alluvium, and following a deep gorge to 
the Soane, which was there hidden by the rugged heights we had 
crossed, and where the greater part of the camp might be seen straggling 
on. East, and close above us, the bold spur of Mungeza shot up its 
retiring faces, forming a continuous stretch of red precipices, clothed 
with forest down to their bases, and over their horizontal tops 
From Sulkun the far-famed view of the fort and palace of Bidjegut 
gn E A 
