10 EXCURSION TO 
traced on the rock, said, by the natives, 
to be the picture of the pious Rajé, who 
had the steps cut for the benefit of the 
pilgrims: the rock is called Darma Rajé 
Gal. Another descent brought us to the 
bed of the river Setagangula: here the 
pilgrims bathe, an act of purification be- 
fore they approach the sacred mountain, 
the scenery and wood very fine. Got, on 
the banks of the river, a very curious 
species of Impatiens, growing to the size 
of a large shrub, a new Pavetta and a 
handsome yellow-flowered Polygala, con- 
stituting a small tree. A new species of 
Ozalis was likewise common on the rocks 
as we ascended from the river. I here 
walked, or, rather, to speak more correctly, 
scrambled with the help of a stick, and 
occasionally a man's hand, for a consider- 
able distance. We had an intelligent na- 
tive vidan, or headman, with us, who 
acted as my bearer, Col. W. finding it 
difficult enough to secure his own footing. 
This man pointed out every thing he con- 
sidered worthy of notice; among others 
an immense perpendicular mass of rock, 
which he told us was called the Devil's 
Rock, in consequence of that terrific per- 
sonage having frequently appeared on the 
top of it: it probably, in the rainy season, 
forms a magnificent cascade, as even now 
streams of water trickle over it in several 
places. The difficulties of the way con- 
tinued to increase at every step, so that 
we were obliged to scramble over large 
stones; or rather detached masses of rock 
jumbled together, and heaped over each 
other in most chaste confusion. Sometimes 
our only footing was formed by the roots 
of trees from which the soil had been 
washed away; at others we found rude 
ladders of sticks, or branches tied to- 
gether, by the help of which we managed 
to get over the larger masses of rock. We 
had one or two fine views of the real Peak, 
on our descent to the Setagangula; but 
about mid-day a thick fog came on, which 
continues to envelope us now that we are 
safely arrived on the top of the Peak; 
ADAM’S PEAK. 
betma, a distance of three and a half miles. 
I dare say we spent, at least, an hour and 
a half in botanizing and amusing our- 
selves. Indeed, we should have occupied 
ourselves longer in this way, had we not 
feared the fog might draw to rain, which 
would have added considerably to our 
difficulties—but I made a sudden jump to 
the top of the Peak, from which I must 
again descend, and proceed upwards in 
the leisurely way we travelled. After about 
a mile of such road as I have described, 
we reached a flat open space, named Ara- 
mette-pane. Another mile brought us to 
Undeamalaterme, where there was for- 
merly a small rest-house, now gone to 
ruin; which, I regret, as a day or two 
spent here, would, I am sure, afford the 
botanical traveller a rich treat. Here the 
base of the cone may be said to com- 
mence, and, we are told, the view of the 
Peak from hence is very fine; but, alas! 
we saw it not, Sree Pada was shrouded 
in his mantle of clouds, and invisible to 
us. We left our conveyances here, and 
proceeded on foot, through low stunted 
wood, covered with shaggy moss. For about 
half a mile the ascent is gradual; but from 
a place marked by a large white-washed 
stone, called Alahette, the cone rises 
almost perpendicularly; the face of the 
rock, in some places, being bare and 
smooth, would make the ascent almost im- 
possible, from the insecurity of the foot- 
ing, but for the long iron chains firmly 
fixed at the top, and hanging loose over 
the rock, by which the person ascending 
may secure himself. There is a series of 
four or five of these chains, the two last 
of which are very long and numerous, so 
as to afford assistance to many people 
ascending about the same time. Some of 
the more active of the natives, however, 
cling to the rock, with their bare feet, and 
ascend without touching the chains; but 
as this holy pilgrimage is undertaken by 
both sexes, and all ages, many could never 
accomplish it, without this aid. I confess I 
found the whole undertaking more arduous 
than I expected, from my recollection of 
my former journey to this place thirteen 
