Chap. V.] crystalline rocks. 117 



our map. Judging from the great quantity of debris, the vein would 

 appear to be one of great magnitude, but it is greatly covered up by 

 superficial deposits. The greater part of this debris being quartz, 

 it might be supposed to belong simply to a quartz vein ; but a little 

 search soon shows the existence of felspar crystals with the quartz, 

 combined to form a binary granite. This vein varies considerably 

 in its width, and is occasionally lost sight of for a few yards, but soon 

 re-appears. 



One of the most remarkable masses of quartz to be seen in this part 



of India is the " white elephant rock " on the east 

 White Elephant rock. 



flank of the Gundoor, or southern-most, spur of 



the Shevaroys. This huge mass of apparently pure white quartz rises 



precipitously to a height of probably 100 or 120 feet from an irregular 



base, the diameter of which may be estimated approximately at about 



200 feet. The whole mass is much cut up by large vertical joints. 



When seen from between the trees, it is, from several points of view, 



not at all unlike a great white cathedral towering over the forest around 



it. The rock is by no means easy of ascent, on account of the great 



steepness of the sides, which, in most places, are vertical and everywrhere 



very smooth and slippery.* This rock is a most conspicuous object, from 



many points of the Ahtoor valley being visible on clear mornings for 



upwards of 35 miles. A corresponding but rather smaller mass of white 



quartz stands on the west side of the Gundoor spur, overlooking the 



magnesite veins of the so-called ' Chalk Hills', apparently at a rather 



* Great care is rcqiiisite not to rouse the swarms of wild bees which inhabit the sum- 

 mit, for, to be attacked by them where a hasty retreat is impossible, would be dangerous 

 in the extreme. I succeeded in reaching the top (in company with Dr. H. Crocker, of the 

 Madras Medical Service, who kindly became my guide to the rocks,) but only by having re- 

 course to some very rude bamboo ladders left by the MuUayali honey-gatherers in the 

 rift (due to a natural joint) on the south face of the great rock. — R. B, F. 



( 339 ) 



