66 



MANUAL OF THE NILAGIEI DISTRICT. 



productions 

 and vegeta 

 tion. 



CIIAP. IV, until it readies tlie Kdteri river. The combined stream passes 

 PART III. KaUr, and empties itself into the Bhavani. 



Wellington. The soil in and about Wellington is of a rich red ferruginous 

 Eeport^on c^^y °^ marl, resting on a gi\anitic ^ base, with sienite in many 



Climate, &c. places, and here and there felspar, mica, and veins of quartz. 



GeologyT" Flint and amethyst appear to bo embedded in the granite, sienite, 

 or gneiss, in the form of crystallized silica. 



Botany, table The station is planted throughout with numerous ornamental 

 trees which afford shelter and add to its beauty. Within the 

 last four years there has been an average of 2,000 young trees 

 planted out in various parts of the station. Some of them have 

 failed from climate and exposure, but a large proportion continue 

 to thrive. These consist of rapidly-growing exotic trees, such 

 as the Australian blue gum, or Eucalyptus globulus. 



The intersecting valleys, sides of the hills, and plateaus possess 

 a rich soil, the result of sub-tropical forest growth, producing 

 luxuriant vegetation, where almost all the European vegetables 

 thrive. As many as three or four crops of potatoes have been 

 raised during one year. The ground to the west of the barracks 

 is utilized as a soldiers' garden. The men to whom it is allotted 

 pay a monthly subscription for which they are supplied with 

 garden tools, and periodically wath seeds, the produce being 

 entirely their own property. There is an agreement with the 

 Commissariat to take their produce, which is served with the 

 rations. Here onions, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, tomatoes, peas, 

 lettuce, beet-root, knol-khol^ carrots, sweet potatoes, &c. grow 

 well. The work affords amusement and profit to the owners. 

 Fruits of all kinds grow luxuriantly at Wellington, particularly 

 oranges, peaches, the wild gooseberry, red and white raspberry, 

 Brazil cherry, limes, and citrons, pears and apples coming from 

 the more sheltered neighbourhood of Kotagiri. 



Coonoor, two miles to the south, is a pretty little station, 

 about 6,000 feet above the level of the sea, encircled by hills, 

 irregular in shape and elevation, and sheltered from the south-west 

 monsoon. Being nearer the edge of the Hills, it is more subject to 

 fogs ; the variations of temperature are often sudden and great. 

 The climate is less bracing and more suitable for cases of chest, 

 bowel, and liver derangements than Wellington. There are 

 several excellent hotels. There are small shojDS, kept by natives, 

 in Coonoor ; but, as a rule, European articles of good quality that 

 are required should be obtained from Ootacamand. Near 

 Coonoor visitors should see the spots known as '' Lady Canning's 

 Seat," '' Dolphin's Nose," " Lamb's Rock," " Hiilikal," 

 " Todamand," and the " Drlig," from which latter views of the 



Places to be 

 visited. 



1 The old riew.— Ed. 



