48 DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVETIAL STATIONS. 



bet, which derives its Canarese name from the prevalence 

 of a species of barberry. 



The climate bids fair to be one of those most preferred on 

 the Hills : it does not differ much from that of Coonoor, and 

 it escapes the fogs which prevail there for several months in 

 the year. These white mists, which roll up the Coonoor 

 ravine about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and obscure the 

 whole landscape, draw off towards the north-west and extend 

 themselves up the same valley to Kantari, leaving Jackatalla 

 clear and bright. It has been proposed, and the proposal has 

 met with the approval of Government, to form a direct com- 

 munication between the cantonment of Jackatalla and the 

 new Coonoor and Ootacamund road, by means of an embank- 

 ment across the valley, by which a large ornamental sheet of 

 water will be formed, about 35 feet deep. 



When the branch of the railroad, now in progress of execu- 

 tion, is carried to the terminus at " Seeramogay," a new pass 

 from thence will be constructed up the Ghaut at that point, 

 and will be of easy gradients ; and much improvement will be 

 made on the plateau leading to Jackatalla, from Kotergherry, 

 from which the terminus will be only 12 miles. 



There is abundance of game of different descriptions in the 

 woods and ravines about Jackatalla. A pack of hounds is kept 

 by the Officers of the Regiment, and the jackal affords excel- 

 lent runs when they throw off in the neighbourhood of 

 Ootacamund, and other tolerably level parts. 



Tigers sometimes approach near to Jackatalla : in August 

 1856, Lt. Thackery of the 74ith, shot a tiger, 12 feet 6 inches 

 in length from the nose to the tip of the tail. 

 Tenure oe Lands. 



Land is held by European settlers on the Neilgherries, 

 under a puttivm or grant from Government for a term of 



