10 FOOTE : SOUTH MAHRATTA COUNTRY. 



Deccan trap formation to the north-east and beyond the limits of the 

 sketch-map annexed to this report. This terrace character is especially 

 well developed to the south-east and east of Talikot, and even more 

 strikingly so yet further east, in the neighbourhood of Gulbarga and 

 Bidar. 



A group of granitoid hills, remarkable for their wild and rugged 

 character, occurs along the left or north bank of the Krishna from a 

 little east of Nalutwar, nearly to as far east-north-east as Sorapur. In 

 passing through these hills the Krishna forms a series of great rapids, 

 amounting almost, in one place, to a cataract. This is a little above the 

 Chaya Bhoga on tlie ^^ry picturesque Hill-fort of Jaldrug. The scene 

 falls of the Krishua. presented by this splendid rapid in the heavy 



floods during the south-west monsoon must make it one of the most 

 remarkable physical phenomena to be seen in the peninsula of India, 

 but one seen, unfortunately, by very few who are capable of appre- 

 ciating the beauties of nature. I was not able to see the rapid well 

 on the only occasion on which I visited the Jal Drug gorge (in January 

 1870), as a small freshet was running down and prevented my crossing 

 the southern branch of the river to a spot whence a good view might 

 have been obtained. I need not, therefore, apologize for quoting in a 

 note the description of the falls of the Krishna'^ given by Colonel 



* Jal Drug and its environs are very fully and graphically described by Colonel Meadows 

 Taylor, C. S. I., in his new tale " A Noble Queen," from which the following description is 

 taken : " And almost as he spoke the spray driven by the wind passed to the other side 

 of the chasm, slowly unveiling by degrees the noble cataract which he could now see nearly 

 from the top, whence the water of the mighty river precipitated itself to the bottom 

 where it was partially veiled with spray. The river was full from bank to bank, and 

 about a quarter of a mile, perhaps indeed, more in breadth, and fell from point to point, or 

 step to step of the incline of 400 feet with a fearful crash and clamour. In no part of its 

 course, except one, was the rock perpendicular, but it was broken by huge masses of rock 

 which showed their tops only in a few places. The steps' of the whole incline were iu irregu- 

 lar portions which caused breaks in the fall and added to its sublimity. Here and there 

 the action of the water had hollowed out large, deep holes which now and again spouted 

 forth columns of water and spray to a surprizing height, and fell back with a roar and 

 splash with marvellous effect. The whole was a seething, roaring mass. 



{ 10 ) 



