

368 Medical History of H. M. \5th Hussars. 



so fertile an alluvial deposit in many other places do not 

 exist, except in the valleys, the jungles, and under the 

 bunds of the tanks,) being generally a red ferruginous clay 

 with nodules of iron and particles of sand, formed by the de- 

 composition of the granite from the surface exposed to the 

 action of the atmosphere. 



The rocks are principally gneiss ; and there is much granite, 

 consisting of mica, felspar, and quartz. The former is often 

 in a state of disintegration, well adapted for China crucibles, 

 &c., and the felspar disintegrates into a clay used for pottery 

 by the natives.* 



Iron ore is found in great abundance; but the other mine- 

 ral products are as yet little known, and doubtless will yield 

 to future enquirers and explorers, a rich harvest. 



The agriculture, the vegetable productions, and much that 

 is interesting to the medical enquirer, must be omitted in a 

 report like the present ; as well as the physical appearance of 

 the country, its mountains, valleys, rivers, &c. 



The station itself is situated on an elevated crest running 

 east and west, about two miles from the fort of Bangalore, 

 and extending, when the new Barracks are built, to the Race- 

 course. Of its eligibility for a Cantonment, we shall copy 

 from last year's Report. 



Bangalore as a station for European troops, possesses pe- 

 culiar advantages, as being on the centre of a plateau 3000 

 feet above the level of the sea, enjoying the constant refresh- 

 ing breezes of two monsoons, and an atmosphere exceedingly 

 pure and elastic. To the human frame and feelings it is very 

 agreeable and refreshing; and to vegetable life, exceedingly 

 well adapted, as is evinced by the luxuriant crops and variety 

 of fruits and vegetables, which it yields during the entire year. 



If it possesses many advantages, it likewise has some draw- 

 backs as a station for troops. The former it derives from 

 its elevation, its central position, its freedom from swamps, 



* Vide Benza, in the Madias Journal of Literature and Science. 



