SIRCL NEELCOOND. GAIRSAPPA. 121 



The road to the falls from Sirci passes 

 for two stages along the brow of the 

 ghauts, mostly through forest. But this 

 is not one of the broad thoroughfares 

 cut with Roman directness through the 

 woods, like the roads which lead coast- 

 ward ; it is a mere woodland path, and 

 crosses all the streams which make their 

 way down the ghaut. Of these, two or 

 three are of such breadth and volume as 

 to necessitate foot-bridges, and as two 

 or even three spans are needed, at least 

 two piers have to be built. Masonry 

 would be too costly and difficult, and in 

 its place native resource has devised a 

 kind of pier which, so long as its ma- 

 terials remain undecayed, answers admir- 

 ably. Circular crates of about six feet 

 in diameter and height are made by 



