INTRODUCTOEY ESSAY. 141 



The physical structure of Orissa is very imperfectly known. 

 It is in general hilly, and the ranges have probably pretty 

 uniformly a maximum elevation of 3000 feet. They are often 

 table-topped ridges, separated by flat broad valleys, but per- 

 haps most frequently spreading out into elevated platforms. 

 The table-land of Sirgujah and Chota Nagpur, which forms 

 the northern part of the province, is an expansion of the 

 southern branch of the Vindhia, here forming the watershed 

 between the Mahanadi and the Son. It is said to have a 

 mean height of 3000 feet, and to be covered with dense 

 forest. The ridge which separates it from Berar presents 

 probably, in like manner, an extensive platform of moderate 

 elevation. 



Throughout Orissa, the hills approach within a distance of 

 the sea which varies from twenty to fifty miles, and at Vizi- 

 gapatam and Ganjam they advance close to the shore. These 

 hnis (like the Ghats of Mysore further south) terminate very 

 abruptly, and are separated from the sea by an alluvial belt, 

 which skirts their base and advances between the different 

 spurs, so as to form richly-cultivated valleys among the hills. 

 The Ghats generally rise abruptly to an elevation of 1500 

 or 3000 feet. Their flanks are covered with dense forest, as 

 well as the flat tops of the outer and more humid portions of 

 the spur, but in the interior these spread out into bare table- 

 topped ridges. 



The Mahanadi being the principal river of Orissa, its valley 

 is the lowest part of the province. It is navigable for large 

 boats as far as Boad, a hundred miles above Kattak. It is 

 then hemmed in for some distance by mountain-spurs, but 

 higher up its valley expands into the level plain of Sambalpur. 



The table-land of Umerkantak, in which the rivers Ner- 

 bada and Son take their rise, as well as one branch of the 

 Mahanadi, is an elevated tract of dense jungle, traversed only 

 by narrow paths, and quite removed from the great line of 

 traffic across the continent. It is said to attain an elevation 

 of 4500 feet ; but the observations upon which this statement 



