PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 19 



The reader is requested to refer to the Maps, as a guide 

 to elucidate the following description of the Passes, and the 

 approaches to them : 



The Seegoob Pass. 



This pass,which is the most frequented of all, in consequence 

 of its being practicable for carriages, laden carts and other 

 wheeled conveyances, is carried up the northern face of the 

 Hills, commencing near the village of " Seegoor,'* about 12 

 miles from Ootacamund. By this pass the communication is 

 kept up with Bangalore, Madras, and all places to the north- 

 ward : the Transit carriages, and the chief bulk of Euro- 

 pean supplies, heavy baggage, horse gram, rice, &c., come 

 to the settlement by it. It also affords the means of tran- 

 sit for the teak timber used on the Hills in the form of 

 rafters, planks, &c. ; the road passing near the forests where 

 teak trees are cut, under sanction of Government, about 

 Tippacadoo and Musneumcoil. The trees are felled by Coo- 

 rumburs and others, and are then, after being lopped and 

 roughly dressed, dragged on rude bandies by buffaloes to the 

 road side, where they are sawn into building pieces, and sent 

 on bullock bandies to the Ootacamund market by this Grhaut. 



The Seegoor Pass is the shortest and easiest of ascent. About 

 half of the entire distance is open ground, nearly level, or with 

 a very moderate inclination ; the maximum rise being 1 foot 

 in 9, and this only for a short distance : the greater part is 1 in 

 10 to 1 in 15 feet, and in may places quite level. It com- 

 mences near the village of Seegoor and continues for about 8 

 miles, passing Kilhutty, where there is a good Bungalow : 

 height about 5500 feet, at which travellers should generally 

 rest ; but it is necessary, in order to secure refreshment, to ad- 

 dress the proprietor of one of the Hotels, or some friend at 

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