216 The Hunting Grounds 



the hills are found ibex and woodcock, which are 

 never seen in the low country. 



Ootacamund, the principal station, is the most de- 

 lightful place of residence in Hindostan. It possesses 

 a handsome church, well-established club, two first- 

 rate hotels, several handsome shops, which are 

 chiefly kept by Parsees, a well-stocked bazaar, and 

 many hundred excellent houses and bungalows, some 

 of which are perfect mansions. The cantonment 

 occupies a great extent of ground, as, the country 

 being extremely undulating, most of the houses are 

 picturesquely situated on slight eminences, and sur- 

 rounded with large gardens which are generally ex- 

 tremely well kept up. Apples, pears, quinces, 

 peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, currants, and most 

 European vegetables, thrive well; whilst fuchsias, 

 honeysuckles, woodbine, jessamine, clematis, passion- 

 flowers, and geraniums, grow in the wildest luxuriance, 

 and require little care. In the centre of the canton- 

 ment is a beautiful artificial lake, round which is the 

 drive or promenade, the "Kotten Row " of Ooty, where 

 in the afternoon may be seen several hundred Anglo- 

 Indians, either on horseback or in vehicles of every 

 description, from the stylish barouche to the humble 

 " bullock-garree," listening to the band or driving 

 about to gain an appetite for dinner. 



The Neilgherries being considered among the 

 healthiest spots in Southern India, have been consti- 



