SOIL AKD PRODUCTTOKS. 93 



Of the wild products of the hills, the most remarkable are 

 the Brazil cherry, known in Bengal as the Topara, growing 

 in a curious leafy case, on a small prickly shrub : the fruit 

 when ripe is of the size of a cherry, of a yellow colour, and 

 an agreeable subacid taste ; it is found in immense profusion. 



The hill gooseberry, so named from its strong resemblance 

 in taste, though not in appearance, to a ripe gooseberry ; it 

 grows in prodigious quantities on a small branchy shrub, 

 with short thick dark-green leaves, and makes an excellent 

 preserve. 



A small green fruit, very much resembling, in appearance 

 and flavour, a caper, is used by the burghers as a sort of 

 pickle. 



Strawberries, and raspberries, are in great abundance. The 

 latter, in certain situations, is uncommonly well flavored. 

 Black, or bramble berries, are also very common. 



The Orchis Mascula, from the root of which the well 

 known Salepi Misree is obtained, is found in considerable 

 quantities on the NeddimuUa Hills, and near Neddiwuttum. 

 Several other plants, resembling the genus Orchis, and with 

 roots of the same description, are found in and about Oota, 

 camund. 



Of forest trees, there are an immense abundance, and 

 variety, many doubtless valuable, but very few of them have, 

 as yet, been turned to any account. 



The camphor tree, according to Baron Hugel, is to be 

 found near Orange Valley — if in any quantity, it must prove 

 valuable. 



A considerable forest of Teak, was discovered in the Coo- 

 noor Ghat, and was reserved for the use of Government, but 

 has since been worked out. 



The Chumpanee, a small tree with crooked stem, and long 



