782 Notes, chiefly Geological, from Pondicherry to Beypoor. [No. 166. 



The Portuguese formed an early settlement here. The ruins of 

 this fort are still pointed out by natives on the sand bar. The river 

 is navigable during the monsoon many miles into the teak forests 

 of the interior, and affords a capital mode for the transit of ship, 

 building timber, by rafting to the coast. A low mill with sails 

 moved by the wind is standing, but I believe no longer in use. A large 

 quantity of timber is still shipped for the supply of the Dock-yards at 

 Bombay, and large vessels (to 700 tons) are occasionally built here. 

 Sail-cloth is manufactured, and excellent tar from teak-wood shav- 

 ings and saw dust. 



The village contains about 400 houses, inhabited chiefly by Tiars, 

 Mairs, Polliars, Churmars, Soottars, Mukkoons; with a few Nam- 

 buri Brahmans, Kunnishuns, and Moplays, and has a busy thriving 

 appearance. 



The Beypoor river is one of the most considerable in Malabar. It 

 will admit vessels of 300 tons within the bar, and it is navigable 

 during the greater part of the year to Ariacode, twenty-five miles, and 

 during the monsoon to Nellumboor, the principal teak forest, forty- 

 four miles. In its sands after the rain, and along the sea-coast, gold 

 dust is frequently found in small quantity. 



