]8 (JKOf.OGY OF TiaCHl\OI'OLY_, HcC. [ClIAP. 1. 



with the other and more easily destructible bands composing the greater 

 mass of the mountains."^ As a general rule^ the rock is of very durable 

 character, and the consequence is, that there is but little soil or clay of 

 any thickness, except in the bottoms of the valleys ; the backs and slopes 

 of the numerous ridges intersecting the interior show large patches of 

 bare rock. 



Owing to the diversified character of the interior of the upper 

 surface of the mountains, the scenery is at times very pretty and 

 varied. Numerous little basins of cultivated land communicate with 

 each other by wooded glens, and in a few cases by small and rocky 

 passes. The finest part is in the neighbourhood of the gorge open- 

 ing into the Toriore valley, where there are some very bold headlands 

 and precipices overlooking the great ravine through which the Coiloor 

 torrent reaches the low country. In various parts the inhabitants 

 have availed themselves of the basin-like character of the valleys, and have 

 surrounded their flanks by innumerable little terraces for the cultiva- 

 tion of hill paddy. They use the small streams which issue from the 

 often thick forest at the heads of the minor valleys and ravines for 

 purposes of irrigation, conducting the water by means of long chan- 

 nels very cleverly cut in the sides of the hills. The northern basin 

 especially shows a very extensive cultivation of hill paddy, and, in 

 the months of March and April, presents to the eye a large sheet of 

 intense green. The effect of the concentric terraces of vivid green, 

 when seen from a considerable height, is decidedly picturesque. 



Notices of the geology of the district hy previous observers. — But 

 little had been written on the geology of the country included within 



* At the temple standing at the head of the great ravine opening from the central 

 plateau basin towards the Toriore valley, the river has been dammed, and forms a reservoir 

 containing thousands of large carp-like fish, which, from being constantly fed by the priests 

 and devotees, are very fat and very tame. These were the only fish seen upon anv of 

 the hill groups, and have in all pi'obalnlity been brought up purposely. 



( 240 ) 



