Chap. lA''. 1.] hetamorpiiic kocks. CI 



to about one-fourtli of tlie mass. To the east, however, the bed when 

 ascending" the Valoor hill, again becomes richer, and shows a very fine 

 ore containing about three-fifths of the pure magnetite. It tlien again 

 becomes very jioor, but shows a fine rich ore on the Neighemullay plateau. 

 Travelling by the high road from Cuddalore to Salem, one could not 

 fail to be struck with the very fine bold rocks rising from the ridgo of 

 the Godumullay, especially about three-fourths of a mile west from the 

 summit. At this spot there is a gigantic naked rock, part of the magne- 

 tic iron bed, rising between 3 and 400 feet almost vertically above the 

 ridge. Between it and the summit is another bold peak, but of much 

 smaller dimensions, and not so lofty. As you ascend from this interme- 

 diate peak to the summit, past a banian tree sacred to Permal, the view, 

 looking back towards the west, is perfectly glorious. In front are the 

 two peaks just described, showing their bold outlines to great advantao-e, 

 and fascinating the eye by the striking colours due to their mineral 

 composition. To the right and in the centre the back ground of this 

 magnificent view is formed by the forest-clad Shevaroys ; to the left by 

 the distant Palamullay, a fine mountain mass west of the Cauvery in 

 Coimbatore district. Where the rocks are unbroken, but where blocks 

 have fallen away and the weathered joint surfaces appear, the deep purple 

 of the mass is varied by shades of red so bright as, when illuminated by 

 the sun, to almost rival ver million in its intensity. The summit rocks of 

 the great peak especially are in addition much covered with a white 

 lichen, which by contrast greatly enhances the beauty of the other colours. 

 The great precipice on the north side of the summit presents the 

 same vivid shades of red, toned by streaks of brown, and offers altogether 

 a very grand yet singular appearance contrasted Avith the bright green 

 of the forest, in a great ravine several hundred feet below the summit, 

 the only piece of true forest that has been left remaining on the hill. 

 The thickness of this great bed varies a little, but averages probably 

 between 50 and 100 feet; the generally broken condition of the out-crop, 



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