THE TIGER. 325 



that march of my gaunt and fever-stricken followers, 

 crowded on the backs of the elephants that carried them 

 in several trips to the carts that awaited them below. 



Another officer relieved me at Puchmurree, and 

 remained nearly till the end of the rainy season ; 

 meteorological observations being kept up, in order to 

 compare with others which were being taken at the 

 same time by a party resident on the rival plateau of 

 Motiir. The result was that a mean temperature of about 

 73 degrees, and a rainfall of rather more than 60 inches, 

 were registered for both places during the four months 

 from June to September, which shows a range of heat about 

 8 degrees or 10 degrees lower than on the plains, and nearly 

 double the rainfall. Unfortunately, however, the com- 

 parative difficulty of access to Puchmurree was allowed 

 to tell against its infinitely superior beauty and 

 suitability in other respects ; and swampy, jungly, 

 hideous Motiir, which lies on the trap formation, and 

 very much resembles the country along the Tapti river 

 described in the last chapter, was preferred to this 

 beautiful plateau for trial as a sanitarium for European 

 troops during the ensuing season. It was an utter 

 failure, the climate being bad, and there being nothing 

 to interest the men in such a place. 



Since then the Forest Department has regularly 

 occupied the lodge on the hill, and laid out extensive 

 gardens round about. Attempts to cultivate the quinine- 

 yielding cinchona made on a small scale have failed, 

 owing probably to want of the needful attention and 

 knowledge, rather than to unsuitability of the place and 

 climate. The potato, and all sorts of European vege- 

 tables and flowers, have been found to thrive admirably 

 at Puchmurree. Another house has been built, and 

 many European and native officials have enjoyed excel- 

 lent health during visits to the place for some years. 



