212 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA. 



great volcanic ocean. To judge from the great extent 

 of table-land lying at about the elevation of 2,000 feet, 

 this would appear to have been the original level of 

 the trap overflow, the higher peaks of that formation, 

 which reach in a few places to 3,000 feet, being more 

 probably the result of subsequent upheaval. The plateau 

 has, however, been generally denuded by the larger 

 streams to a depth of about 1,000 feet, where they 

 still run over volcanic beds at the level of the great 

 southern plain of the Deccan. The extent of level 

 plateau is thus much diminished, on the one hand by 

 the ramifications of the drainage system, and on the 

 other by the higher ranges, and the long sloping valleys 

 which connect them with the plateau. 



I have called this volcanic region also the region 

 of the teak tree in Central India. It is so generally, 

 but, strictly speaking, the teak tree does not actually 

 confine itself to the trap formation ; nor, on the other 

 hand, is the teak the only, or even the principal, 

 timber tree of the trap country. No such close lines 

 of distinction exist in nature, but the coincidence is, 

 I think, sufiicient to warrant the inference of some 

 link of connection between them. More or less, teak 

 is scattered all over this region, but the principal forests 

 are found clinging to the skirts of the higher ranges 

 rising from the general level of the plateau. The more 

 extensive level portions of the country have long been 

 cleared of jungle for purposes of cultivation, and for 

 a long way around these settlements the forests have 

 been hacked down into mere scrub for the common 

 requirements in timber and fuel of the people. The 

 outer slopes of the plateau, towards the lower plains, 

 have also been long ago swept of all valuable teak ; 



