Chap. I.] general sketch of area. 11 



from the vast area of country laid under water iu the delta during 

 prevalence of the freshets of the Cauvery, tends to cool very greatly 

 the otherwise intensely hot climate of the Tanjore district. The coast 

 climate generally is much more damp and relaxing than that of the 

 moi-e inland parts of the low country, but the thermometer has gener- 

 ally a lower range near the sea. 



The climate of the mountain plateaux is one much more agree- 

 able and suitable to the European constitution in point of temperature, 

 but unfortunately all the ranges are, during the hottest season, to a greater 

 or less degree, the seat of malarious influences, giving rise to very dan- 

 gerous jungle-fevers. None of the mountains, not even the Shevaroys, 

 rise above the so-called fever range, and accordingly none enjoy an im- 

 munity from these dangerous diseases, which are as fatal to the Natives from 

 the low country as to Europeans. April and May are generally the most 

 unsafe months, and during these, the jungly regions, especially those 

 among the lower hills, should be carefully avoided. During the cold season, 

 however, especially in December and January, the malaria seems to be 

 quite in abeyance ; it is also said to be so for some weeks after the heavy 

 rains of the south-west monsoon. Frost has been observed on the 

 highest parts of the Shevaroys, but not, so far as we are aware, on the 

 other ranges, which are of lesser altitude. The rain-fall on the hills 

 is probably much in excess of that in the low country, but no reliable 

 or sufficient data exist for any comparison. The climate of the 

 Baramahal is decidedly much cooler than that of the low country, as 

 the greater elevation would lead one to expect, but not sufficiently so 

 to make any great difference in the general aspect of the flora of that 

 terrace. 



hills in the neighbourhood of Darapooram, a large town on the banks of the Ambiawutty 

 river, in the Coimbatore district. 



It seems not unhkely that the blown sand hills mentioned below, as occurring near the 

 junction of that river with the Cauvery, are likewise due to the action of the west wind. 



• ( 33.3 ) 



