TOPOaEAPHT. 51 



They form the abutment oi* termination of the immense 

 table-land of central India, commencing with Hindoostan 

 and the Dekkhun, and continued through Mysore, bounded 

 on the W. by the Western Ghats, and on the E. by the less 

 strongly marked line of the Eastern Ghats. From the table- 

 land of Mysore, with which they are connected by a narrow 

 neck of land, about 15 miles wide, they rise to the height 

 of 3,500 feet, and are divided from the E, and W. Ghats by 

 a deep fissure on each side, of not less than 15 miles in 

 width ; on every other side they rise abruptly from the 

 subjacent plains of Malabar and Coimbatoor, in one vast 

 precipitous mass, to the height of from 5 to 6 or 7,500 

 feet. Their isolated situation, completely separated from 

 the surrounding country, is one of the most remarkable 

 features in their position, and may serve to account for 

 many of the peculiarities of climate found to exist upon 

 them. 



Tliey are composed of three distinct ranges, or groups of 

 hills, closely connected together, but which, though nearly 

 of the same general elevation, vary considerably in their 

 aspect, connection, and grouping. 



The range to the westward, though forming a continuous 

 line, bears two distinct names. The northern part, forming 

 a narrow line, commencing at the Goodaloor Pass, being 

 called the Neddimulla hills ; and the southern division, 

 composing a very distinct and remarkable group, being 

 known as the Koondahs. The central or principal range 

 is entirely formed by a continuous chain of hills, rising 

 gradually on each side to the summit of Dodabetta, the 

 highest of the whole group, and the loftiest point, yet dis- 

 covered, south of the Himalaya, being 8,760 feet above the 

 sea level. The station of Ootacamund is situated directly 

 H 2 



