40 DESCRIPTION OF THE SEYEBAL STATIONS. 



has constantly done this, and has known the fair sex, who 

 all seemed to be accomplished and fearless riders, enjoying 

 the showers, and never suffering from the exposure. 



There are several places to visit which picnic parties are 

 frequently formed, namely, Mateemund ; Fair Lawns ; the 

 summits or slopes of Snowdon and Dodabet ; Kaitee, and 

 its neighbouring water- fall atKATAiRT; and other lovely spots 

 near at hand ; and the ride round Elk-hill from Bishop's 

 Downs, up to Dodabet, is as varied and magnificent, and 

 enjoyable at all hours of the day, as any perhaps in Europe. 

 Another almost equally attractive ride commences from the 

 road leading to the Botanic Gardens, diverging to the left, 

 and making a circuit round to Snowdon and Dodabet ; but 

 the varieties of picturesque rides are so numerous, that it 

 would be in vain to attempt to describe them. 



Then, Coonoor to the East ; and the Avalanche, and 

 SisPARA Bungalows to the S. W. from which, scenery as 

 grand and sublime as the eye could desire to behold, is to be 

 seen, totally differing from the quiet and repose of that 

 around Ootacamund. In visiting these in succession, you 

 experience the fullest sense of. the enjoyment to be derived 

 from air and exercise, and the pleasurable emotions of view- 

 ing the beauties of nature, in every form of endless variety. 

 We must not omit to mention "Makoortt Peak" about 

 14 miles to the W. it is about 8,500 feet high ; from whence, 

 and around it, as already described, magnificent scenery 

 is beheld : it is a spot held sacred by the Todas, as the 

 residence of a personage whom they believe to be the keeper 

 of the gates of Heaven. " Orange Valley" should also be 

 mentioned, lying to the N. E. and distant about 10 miles, 

 ■where oranges grow wild, the climate being 6° higher than 

 that of Ootacamund. 



