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XXV.— Expedition to the, Higher Ranges of the Anamalai Hills,* Coimbatore, in 
1858. By Hueu CLecHorn, M.D., Conservator of Forests, Madras Presidency. 
Communicated by Professor Baurour. (With seven Plates, XX XI-XXXVIL.) 
(Read 29th April 1861.) 
The excursion described in the following pages was planned by Dr Macruerson, 
Inspector-General of Hospitals, and myself, with a view to explore the Southern 
Range of the Anamalai (7.e. Elephant Hills), in the district of Coimbatore, which 
are sparingly laid down in the Great Trigonometrical Survey Map, while the 
peculiarities of their Fauna and Flora had not been recorded. 
The project was approved by the Right Honourable Lord Harris, then 
Governor of the Madras Presidency, and the services of Major D. Hamitron were 
sanctioned by His Excellency Sir Patrick Grant, Commander-in-chief, to accom- 
pany us as artist, to delineate the characteristic features of the country. 
On the 15th September 1858, according to previous agreement, the village of 
Kotir, ten miles from Pulachy, and six from Anamalai,t was the place of 
rendezvous. The party consisted of J. W. CuEerry, Esq., Collector of Coimbatore ; 
Drs Macpuerson and Cornisu, Major D. Haminton, 21st N. I.; Captain Fans, 
Lieut. R. H. Beppome, 42d N. I.; T. B. Frencu, S. L. Kor, W. Fraser, C.E., and 
O. B. Irvine, Esq., Assistant-Collector, accompanied with seven elephants. We 
started at 4 a.M., and arrived at the Anamalai river at 20 minutes past 5; the 
distance six miles, and the road much trodden by sheep and cattle. By the light 
of early dawn, we distinguished the candelabrum-like stems of Huphorbia antiquo- 
rum, and the drooping foliage of Salvadora indica, which in habit resembles the 
weeping-willow, and here attains a large size, the trunk being 10 inches in 
diameter. After crossing the river, which was deep and rapid, in leaky basket- 
boats, we traversed a number of rice fields, and entered the bamboo and tree 
jungle which lies in the hollow between the river and the ascent to Punachi, and 
which becomes exceedingly thick and wet along the water-courses. After pro- 
ceeding about a mile, we ascended by a winding bullock path, and reached Punachi 
at 9:30. The ghat we calculated to be at least three miles long. It is very steep, 
but easy enough for coolies; and in one or two places we dismounted. The 
ponies scrambled over the boulders easily; but the elephants, though lightly 
* The reader will find an interesting narrative of an Expedition over the Anamalai mountains 
(northern range), by Capt. (General) F. C. Corron, Engineer, in the “‘ Madras Journal of Literature 
and Science,” vol. ii. N. S., p. 80 (1857). 
+ North latitude 10” 27, Hast longitude 77. Plate XXXIJ., Pancrama of mountain range 
from this village, showing the eastern aspect of the hills. 
VOL. XXII. PART III. (fans 
