460 THE MAHABALESHWUR HILLS. Chap. XXVIL 



The Mahabaleshwur hills are the loftiest part of the 

 western ghauts in the Bombay presidency. They form an 

 undulating table-land of small extent, terminated to the 

 westward by a very abrupt descent, often forming scarped 

 precipices overhanging the Concan ; and sloping down more 

 gradually on the side of the Deccan. The highest point, close 

 to the English station, in lat. 17° 59' N., is only 4700 feet 

 above the sea. The English station, with a native bazar and 

 village, was formed by Sir John Malcolm in 1828, and has 

 received the name of Malcolm-penth. Several of the sur- 

 rounding peaks are named after his daughters. The roads 

 are excellent, and are bordered by such trees and shrubs as 

 jasmine, figs, Randias, Gnidias, and Crotalarice, with a pretty 

 white Clematis climbing over them. The station is near 

 the edge of a range of precipitous mountain crags and cliffs 

 overlooking the Parr valley. The clifts are broken by several 

 profound ravines, thus forming promontories commanding 

 grand views of the hill fort of Pertaubghur, the Concan, and 

 even the sea on very clear days. Good carriage-roads have 

 been made to those points which command the best views, 

 such as Babington, Bombay, Sidney, and Elpliinstone points, 

 all looking west. From Babington point there is a mag- 

 nificent view. The station, with numerous bungalows peeping 

 out amongst the trees to the north, is seen along the crest of 

 a ridge wliicli is separated from Babington point by a pro- 

 found ravine. The precipitous cliffs, now dried up and 

 barren, are scarped and furrowed by the water which deluges 

 them during the prevalence of the south-west monsoon ; but 

 there was one bright green spot where some potatoes were 

 cultivated in terraces, on the edge of a precipice. 



The most conspicuous object in the station is an obelisk 

 of laterite, erected to the memory of Sii- Sidney Beckwith. 

 From this point, immediately above the little thatched 

 church, there is a good view of the station, the numerous 



