6 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 



thinner : near the foot of the hills the trees are 

 largest, and the underwood thickest. The country 

 is here and there intersected by deep ravines, 

 caused by the heavy rains rushing down from the 

 mountains towards the rivers, the channels of 

 which are for the most part dry in the hot and cold 

 seasons, but in the rainy season are generally full, 

 and the streams run with great rapidity. The ra- 

 vines often cross the road, and afford excellent shel- 

 ter to animals of prey. It is generally near them that 

 they commit their depredations, and particularly 

 at the foot of every ghaut, where the ravines are 

 of a tremendous size. Sometimes the road winds 

 about in a serpentine direction, and the traveller is 

 ast9nished and delighted by the great variety of 

 picturesque views around him. On either side are 

 seen detached clusters ofSeeso* (Delbergia,) and 

 Saul (Shorea Robusta,) trees, tall, straight and 

 handsome in their growth, looking like artificial 

 plantations, with other large spreading trees 



* A small species of Delbergia, of a dark colour with 

 reddish veins, exceedingly brittle, are common in these hills. 

 It is a singular circumstance that most of the trees contain 

 large stones in their centre or heart, and there is not the 

 least appearance of the bark having been injured ; therefore 

 these stones must be generated in the trees. 



