THE TIGER. 311 



Another officer relieved me at Puchmurree, and remained 

 nearly till the end of the rainy season ; meteorological obser- 

 vations being kept up, in order to compare with others which 

 were being taken at the same time by a party resident on the 

 rival plateau of Motiir. The result was that a mean tempera- 

 ture of about 73, and a rainfall of rather more than 60 inches, 

 were registered for both places during the four months from 

 June to September, which shows a range of heat about 8 or 

 10 lower than on the plains, and nearly double the rainfall. 

 Unfortunately, however, the comparative difficulty of access to 

 Puchmurree was allowed to tell against its infinitely superior 

 beauty and suitability in other respects ; and swampy, jungly, 

 hideous Motiir, which lies on the trap formation, and very 

 much resembles the country along the T&pti river described 

 in the last chapter, was preferred to this beautiful plateau for 

 trial as a sanatarium for European troops during the ensuing 

 season. It was an utter failure, the climate being bad, and 

 there being nothing to interest the men in such a place. It 

 seems to have been forgotten that in a year or two the rail- 

 way would pass within thirty miles of Puchmurree on the 

 north, from which side a wheel-road up the hill might be 

 made at small expense. 



Since then the Forest Department has regularly occupied 

 the lodge on the hill, and laid out extensive gardens round 

 about. Attempts to cultivate the quinine-yielding cinchona 

 made on a small scale have failed, owing probably to want of 

 the needful attention and knowledge, rather than to un suita- 

 bility of the place and climate. The potato, and all sorts of 

 European vegetables and flowers, have been found to thrive 

 admirably at Puchmurree. Another house has been built, 

 and many European and native officials have enjoyed 

 excellent health during visits to the place for some years. 



