Chap. I.] general sketch of area. 9 



generally barren, this appearance resulting, however, more from the 

 absence of trees than from the unproductiveness of the soil. The 

 character of the country is very similar all along the western side of 

 the Kolymullays and the Shevaroys up to the southern edge of the 

 Baramahal terrace, before defined. At Salem the elevation of the 

 general surface of the country is 907 feet above sea level, and at 

 Toopoor, 1,103. Eastward of Salem the great east and west valley 

 rises, till the water-shed between the Salem river and the Vellaur is 

 reached at the Maituputty Kanava ridge. Westward of this ridge, 

 which is a spm' of the GodumuUay, the gromid falls steadily, till the 

 open country is reached. The country is in part rocky, with scrubby 

 jungle, but the ground between the several hills is generally rather 

 even, or but little undulated. The country north of Salem and up to 

 the foot of the scarp of the Baramahal plateau is very much cover- 

 ed with jungle. Barren tracts of country, such as the (so-called) Chalk 

 hills near Salem, are altogether the exception to the rule. 



The presence of high mountains and their peculiar position has 



of course a great effect upon the general climate 

 Climate. 



of a coimtry, and this is very markedly the case 



in Southern India, where some districts are protected from the influence 



of one or other of the monsoons, because of their peculiar position 



in relation to the mountain ranges, while other districts come under 



the influence of both these seasons. 



The country we are here treating of is principally affected by 



the north-east monsoon, which generally sets in 



North-east monsoon. 



in October and blows till March, when other 



winds sometimes prevail, accompanied by heavy thunder showers, (com-. 



monly known as the mango-showers,) which continue through April 



and May. In June the south-west monsoon gen- 

 South-west monsoon. 



erally sets in, and is felt, but to a lesser degree, 



over the whole of our area till September. In the eastern parts near 



B ( 231 ) 



