54 rooTE: south mahratta country. 



2. Granite and Syenite veins and intrusions. 

 These form a very unimportant section in compari«on with the 

 great area of crystalline rocks treated of in this report. Though locally 

 numerous in various parts, they are, as a rule, of very small size, and it is 

 only in a few places that they materially affect the aspect of the general 

 surface. They are most numerously met with in the valley of the Krishna, 

 at and around Nalutwar, and westward nearly up to the Tungurgi 

 ford over the river. None attain to large size, and many are very ill 

 defined, of very variable width, and often appear to graduate into the 

 surrounding granite gneiss. The granite is to ordinary inspection 

 a binary compound of quartz and pink or red felspar (peach blossom 

 to salmon color) and very coarsely crystalline. The great number of 



and thither Perkitti Rajah withdrew himself, hoping to tide over the fatal seven days. He 

 had, however, taken the precaution to send for a famous Hakim, a great wizard, able by 

 magic to cure any and every snake-bite, promising him an immense sum in gold if he would 

 come in time. 



In the meanwhile, moved by the Rishi's curse, one of the gods commanded Takshlk, a 

 prodigious cobra, that lived on the Adoni hills, to carry out the death sentence on the 

 hapless Rajah. Takshlk accordingly proceeded towards Manevi, and on his way thither fell 

 in with the Hakim who was also proceeding thither in compliance with the Rajah's urgent 

 summons. Rearing himself up on his tail, Takshlk entered into conversation with the 

 Hakim and enquired whither he was travelling. The Hakim, fond of a gossip, told the 

 cobra the errand on which he was bound, and mentioned the enormous reward he expected 

 to reap If he saved the Rajah's life. The wily Takshlk immediately offered him a yet larger 

 sum there on the spot If he would return the way he had come and leave the Rajah to his 

 fate. The Hakim jumped at the offer greedily, and Takshlk forthwith spun round on his 

 tall, and, turning his hack on the Hakim, muttered some great mantram, which imme- 

 diately produced the required gold hi a heap before the wizard's eyes. The Hakim took 

 the gold and started homeward, leaving Takshlk to proceed on his journey to Manevi. As 

 he approached the Rajah's retreat, he was met by the Rajah's faithful pet mongoose, which 

 vainly endeavoured to stop him, his little mouth being too small to get hold of the huge 

 cohra. Scorning so Impotent an enemy, Takshlk pushed on up the bare rocky hill, staining 

 the rocks In his course black with the saliva which flowed from his jaws, and, evading the 

 numerous guards by some untold act of cunning, he entered the tower and gave Perkitti 

 Rajah the fatal bite. The black stains caused by the saliva of the terrible Takshlk remain 

 to this day in the shape of the little dyke which runs up the face of the highest hill which 

 itself bears Perkitti Rajah's name, while on and beside the dyke various little pittings of 

 the surface are shown as the footsteps of the faithful mongoose. 



I 64 ) 



