1851.] Report on the Turan Mall Hill. 509 



sun's rays is equal to 30° 12', which I have not the means of comparing 

 with Mahabaleshwar, but which, I doubt not will, not exceed it very- 

 much if at all. The hill is very subject to thunder storms, with great 

 falls of rain, and I have been informed by its inhabitants that during 

 the monsoon such is the intensity of the rain, that for days prominent 

 objects within a few yards of their huts are entirely concealed from 

 view. Of this I had demonstration, for though on the two occasions 

 specified in the register of observations, rain did not fall for any length 

 of time, nevertheless a few hours sufficed to indicate a fall of 12.5 

 inches. The cold season is said to be particularly severe ; and frost 

 of common occurrence. The Bheels state that the sides of the lakes 

 have been repeatedly frozen, and on a late occasion the smaller lake 

 (which may be 150 yards long and 100 broad) was almost completely 

 frozen over. Amongst the natives, disease occurs but seldom ; with 

 the exception of slight fevers (easily reduced by their own simple 

 treatment) and dysentery after the rains, there is nothing else to give 

 one reason to believe that Turan Mall is visited by any epidemic. 

 The months most desirable for a residence on the hill, would be iipril 

 and May. Previous to the latter part of April, I am not inclined to 

 suppose that the disparity in the climate of the place and that of the 

 plains is so great as to cause much benefit to an invalid seeking 

 change of air. As a sanatarium, perhaps, the hill does not boast of 

 such a climate as would lead one to believe that an invalid far advanced 

 in disease would receive much good from a trip to it. Nevertheless 

 to one not already prostrated from illness, but whose ailments only 

 require a change of air and scene, I believe few places would afford a 

 more agreeable retreat. As a sanatory station to European soldiers 

 Turan Mall has many objections. The most conclusive being the 

 difficulty with which it is reached ; the extent of jungle which is to be 

 traversed, the enhanced cost of provisions which might be expected 

 consequent on bad rains, Sydah being the nearest market, and the 

 limited period of time to be passed on the hill, the severe rainy season 

 precluding any hopes of its being a fit habitation for invalids during 

 the prevalence of the monsoon. As compared with Nimar the range 

 of the thermometer shews a most gratifying result. For the month 

 of May at 



