ANAMALAI — HIGHER RANGES. 301 



which form the south side of Michael's Valley, we came upon a 

 track which led over a beautiful undulating country to the 

 southern ridges of the Anamalais, which overlook the Anjinad 

 Valley. We found a well-beaten path leading down to Anjinad. 

 The head of the ghat is six or eight miles to the south of 

 Michael's Valley. We here found a beautiful piece of table-land, 

 situated to the right of the pass down to Anjinad, well watered, 

 sheltered by high hills to the south, and lying about 6000 or 

 6500 feet above the sea-level. I encamped here for several days, 

 and explored the surrounding country. Mr Thomas proceeded 

 down the Anjinad G-hat, crossed the valley, and ascended the 

 Pulnies by Munjapatti. To the east of the pass down to Anjinad 

 there is much higher table-land, probably 7000 feet above the 

 sea, copiously watered by several springs and streams. This 

 spot, and the table-land on which I was encamped, would form 

 an admirable site for a station. They are separated from each 

 other by a valley, which is the head of the pass down to Anjinad. 

 The ghat down into the Anjinad Valley is nowhere precipitous ; 

 and a good road might easily be made from Anjinad. The 

 scenery here is magnificent. The view north towards the Akka 

 and Tangachi Peaks is very grand ; and to the south lies the 

 Anjinad Valley, thousands of feet below, with the Pulnies tower- 

 ing beyond. I explored for ten miles the country to the west of 

 my encamping ground. These southern ridges of the Anamalais 

 are the chief water sources of the whole range. In four or five 

 different places I found regular channels which conduct much of 

 the water which would otherwise flow towards Michael's Valley 

 down into the Anjinad Valley. These channels have been dug 

 by the Muduwars and Puliars, who inhabit this valley and the 

 slopes down to it. To the west of my encamping ground there are 

 several other beautiful spots of table-land, and also another fine 

 valley, similar to Michael's Valley, but with the slopes less pre- 

 cipitous. 



Hitherto I have only known three tribes inhabiting the Ana- 

 malai Hills — viz., Kaders, Puliars, and Malsars. There is, how- 

 ever, a fourth tribe, " the Muduwars." Ten of this tribe joined 

 us when first we ascended the mountains, and told us that they 

 lived in a small village on the high land to the north of the 



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