TOPOGRAPHY. 59 



whose munds or villages are found scattered over it, ge- 

 nerally in the most sheltered nooks, and always close to a 

 wood. 



The Dodabet range rises at the N. extremity of this divi- 

 sion, and crossing it obliquely (forming its eastern boundary) 

 in a direction from N. N. W. to S. S. E. terminates in bold 

 overhanging rocks beyond Coonoor. The range, when re- 

 garded from a distance, seems to form one vast pyramid with 

 a very wide base, running in the direction above stated, and 

 having consequently very gradually sloping sides. The in- 

 clination, however, on the E. and W. faces is greater, and the 

 ascent rather abrupt. The summit 8,760 feet above the 

 level of the sea, and 1,344 feet above Ootacamund, is com- 

 posed of a round hummock with a flattened top, (on which 

 the Observatory has been erected since Dr. Baikie's time) and 

 commanding a most extensive view in every direction, except 

 the W. where the horizon is shut in by the line of the 

 Koondahs, of nearly equal elevation with itself. Directly 

 at its base on the W. side is situated the Station of Oota- 

 camund, in a basin formed by the body of the mountain on 

 one side, and two extensive spurs on the N. and S. so that 

 the only opening is towards the W. Though, as already 

 mentioned, originally chosen almost by accident, the site of 

 the Station appears to possess almost every advantage of cli- 

 mate, shelter, accessibility and command of fuel and water, 

 and though last, not least, its position, in the centre of the 

 table-land, at about eight miles from the verge of the hills 

 on either side, ensures it against even the suspicion of miasm, 

 or impure atmosphere. 



CooNOOB (as already described), is situated at the S. E. 

 extremity of the range, close to the edge of the hills ; and 

 is chiefly remarkable, as being placed at the head of the 

 I 2 



