XXVI. 



similar causes), and taking into consideration the indifferent shelter 

 afforded, their constant exposure to all the vissicitudes of climate 

 during a period when elsewhere fever generally prevails, it may be 

 accepted as a very fair criterion that the position of Michael's valley 

 and the surrounding plateau is most favourable to health, and the 

 high ranges once attained, there need be no apprehension of fever 

 under ordinary circumstances. The Natives of these mountains do 

 not exhibit the same symptoms of an unhealthy region, as is observed 

 in the inhabitants of the lower Pulnies ; and I think I may safely 

 assert, that these hills will eventually prove fully as free from fever 

 as the Nielgherries, and possessing a climate equal to any of the 

 ranges at present known." 



" It is difficult to judge the superficial area of a mountain range 

 with accuracy by the eye, but having walked over nearly, indeed, I 

 may say, the whole of the Annamullay Plateau, I think I am not far 

 wrong in estimating it to be between 80 and 100 square miles, but 

 this includes a large tract situated in the Travancore territory. The 

 broken nature of these mountains causes the scenery to be far more 

 varied and beautiful than generally met with either on the Pulnies or 

 Nielgherries ; but, as may be expected from their propinquity, there 

 is much similarity in many respects in all three ranges. The general 

 trend of the Highlands is N.N.E. and S.S.W., the highest elevations 

 being to the north-east and to the south, gradually decreasing in 

 sloping undulating hills towards the west, excepting the Arnee Moody 

 mountain and its plateau; which is situated at the extreme S.S. West 

 end of the range." 



" I will now proceed to relate events attending an excursion I 

 made to the great Arnee Moody mountain vid ' Coomarikul,' the 

 ' Kartu Mullay,' and across the two last mentioned blocks of table- 

 land, this portion of the hills having never before been visited, that I 

 am aware of. I first attempted to reach the mountain near the end of 

 April, but owing to excessive inclemency of weather was obliged to 

 return to Michael's valley. On the 4th May, I again started for the 

 mountain, accompanied by Mr. Faulkner of the 17th Lancers. Our 

 first march was to Coomarikul Mullay, by a path used by the 



