('MAP. XXIV. CLIMATE— INHABITANTS. 403 



however, only apply to the mterior valleys, for on the outer 

 slopes, overlooking the plains of Madura, there is plenty of 

 good soil, and magnificent forests clothe the mountains at the 

 foot of the perpendicular walls of gneiss which form the 

 southern ridge of the Pulneys, 



The climate of the Pulneys, as regards temperatm-e, very 

 closely resembles that of the Neilgherries. iVt the time of 

 my visit, in the end of November and beginning of December, 

 the season was very late, though there were tliick mists and 

 showers of rain every afternoon. This is the time of the 

 north-east monsoon, and the streams swell to torrents after 

 every shower. Dm^iug the first two months in the year it is 

 very cold, and the ground is often covered with frost on the 

 upper plateau. In March there are light showers of rain, 

 which increase during April and May, and continue, with 

 strong westerly winds, until October. Thus the Pulneys are 

 within the influence of the south-west monsoon.* In June 

 and July, the warmest months, the thermometer never falls 

 below 50°, nor rises above 75^ ; and the westerly winds, with 

 occasional rain, continue during August and September. 



The eastern part of the Pulneys, called Kunuundaven, and 

 Poombary, the principal village to the westward, are inhabited 

 by people of the Kunnuver and Karakat Yellaler castes, num- 

 bering about two thousand of both sexes. The villages are 

 chiefly on the lower Pulneys, and one which I visited, called 

 Vilputty, was surrounded by terrace cultivation of mustard, 

 garlic, raggee, and Jceeree or amaranth. The people also culti- 

 vate lahlab, limes, oranges, and plantains ; and I heard that 

 in one or two villages there were small coflee-gardens. 3[any 

 low-country natives are also settled on the Pulneys, chiefly 

 men outlawed from their castes ; and in the more inaceessililo 



^ YeilvcameAihe Berheris Mahonia, I beyond the limits of the S.W. inon- 

 wliich in the Neilgliemes i.^ not found | soon. 



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