XXV. 



and insolation, are diseases unknown amongst Europeans in the 

 Shervaroy climate." 



In 1863 he made a series of sketches on the high ranges of the 

 Annamullies. In his report he says : " They are situated on the 

 southern boundary of the Coimbatore District, in the Madras Presi- 

 dency, and are divided into the Higher and the Lower Ranges ; the 

 latter, lying to the westward contain the famous Teak Forests ; their 

 average elevation is not more than 2,000 feet above the level of 

 the sea, with peaks and ridges rising to 4 and 5,000 feet. The 

 whole of the lower range, with the exception of a few bare and 

 rocky peaks, is covered with dense forest containing much valuable 

 timber ; whereas the higher range lying to the eastward consists of 

 extensive open grassy hills and valleys with shola forests similar to 

 those on the Neilgherries and Pulnies, varying in elevation from 6,000 

 to 8,coo feet and upwards, above the sea level. The range is only 

 separated from the Pulnies, which lie to the eastward, by the valley 

 of Ungeenaad ; this valley is not more than 12 or 15 miles across in 

 a straight line ; its western end is shut in by two blocks of well- 

 wooded mountains with plateaux on their summits forming a connect- 

 ing link between the Annamullies and the Pulnies. Viewed from 

 the line of railway near Coimbatore, the Annamullays and Pulnies 

 appear as one continuous range of mountains. 



"The high ranges were first visited in 1851 by General Michael 

 who was then in charge of the teak forests ; during the visit he dis- 

 covered the beautiful valley now bearing his name. 



"The distance from the foot of the hills, via Appia Mullay to 

 Michael's Valley, is about 20 miles, viz., 9 miles to Appia Mullay and 

 1 1 miles further on to the valley. 1 



" I was on these mountains for two months with eight Native 

 followers who were all perfectly healthy, with the exception of two 

 slight cases of fever, brought on by a day's exposure to cold and 

 wet (the Natives at Ootacamund frequently contract fever from 



1 It is in this valley that a shooting camp was prepared in 1875 f° r H.R.H. the 

 Prince of Wales. — Ed. 



