DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 7 



scattered amongst them, the whole presenting 

 the beautiful appearance of a gentleman's plea- 

 sure grounds. In the month of April, nearly all 

 the shrubs, and many of the large trees, are cover- 

 ed with blosoms of various tints, delightful to the 

 eye, whilst the organ of smelling is not less gra- 

 tified by the fragrant perfume which impregnates 

 the whole atmosphere, and is often too powerful 

 to be pleasant. At other times, a straight road 

 may be seen for many miles, with a thick wood on 

 each side, cut down to the distance of fifty yards, 

 forming a most magnificent and regular avenue. 



Sometimes you pass through hollows, dreary 

 and dismal, exciting in the traveller sensations not 

 the most pleasing. The idea immediately occurs 

 of their being the haunts of tigers, the prints of 

 whose feet he will actually see in the sand, yet 

 rarely have a view of the animals themselves, as 

 they are remarkably waiy, and, on hearing the 

 least noise, skulk into the thick cover, or behind 

 some bush or rock, where, being themselves con 

 cealed, they see every thing which passes, and, 

 from this their hiding place, often rush unexpect- 

 edly on the weary traveller. 



At every village near the ghauts are stationed 



