610 Lieut. Kittoe's Journey through the Forests of Orissa. [July, 



I took down his deposition in writing and determined to report their 

 conduct, which I did subsequently ;* a further complaint was made 

 of the oppressive conduct of one of the postmaster's jemadars, who 

 had been extorting money, right and left, under false pretences of 

 having been ordered to take the road first through one place then ano- 

 ther ; this individual had however lately been severely punished and 

 discharged by Mr. B. who had heard of some of his pranks. 



Being informed that the road in advance was very difficult and 

 rugged, I thought it prudent not to push on in the evening as I had 

 at first intended, so I passed the night at Goorsunk. 



May 29th. Started this morning at half-past three and reached 

 Tungoora at the top of the ghat at 10 a. m. after a most fatiguing 

 march up and down hill for twelve and a half miles (by my peram- 

 bulator) but by a previous measurement made by one of Mr. B 's 



people it was much less,t the whole ascent being only 1,800 feet 

 in all. This must however be an error, as the least, actual height of 

 Tungoora above Goorsunk must be from 1,800 to 2,000 feet ; the 

 difference of atmosphere and of the range of the thermometer clearly 

 indicates it ; the latter was ten degrees below the range at Barsing 

 and Goorsunk, and it must I should think be at least fifteen degrees 

 below the usual range in the country below. The Malagir mountain 

 (which is seen in all its grandeur from hence) appears to be consi- 

 derably higher, therefore the thermometer at the hottest season ranges 

 perhaps at six or eight degrees less still, which would make it a 

 desirable spot for a sanatarium. 



The road from Goorsunk as far as the village of Mandarah— six 

 miles and a quarter — has a direction slightly northerly; there are many 

 small watercourses and, much uneven ground, also two large nullas 

 over which rope bridges would be requisite, but it appeared to me 

 that a much more favorable line could be laid down and innumerable 

 windings avoided, also many watercourses. From Mandarah the 

 bearing of the valley from which the ghats (viz. Tungoora and 

 Muttighatti) branch off is 60° south ; I proceeded up the elevated 

 ground in the centre of this valley, till a little beyond the village of 

 Rungaree, at five miles and six furlongs I crossed a deep nulla and 

 turning due north entered a narrow branch valley with a water- 

 course down its centre, at this spot the path to the Muttighatti 



* Major W — . I believe attempted to inquire into this matter, but was unable to 

 gather the witnesses ; these people would sacrifice any thing rather than leave their 

 homes and venture before our cutcheries, however kind the European officer. 



f I subsequently found that I had been led by another path the worst of all. 



