HIGHER RANGES OF THE ANAMALAT HILLS, COIMBATORE. 583 
the woods, in which were traces of wild elephants upon a steep, open grass hill; 
at this point the view across the valley of the Torakudu was very grand, 
extensive dense sholas skirting the rocky and precipitous hills, the summits 
being shrouded in mist. The Rhododendron arboreum first occurred here—the 
elevation, ascertained by Mr Fraser, about 5000 feet. We continued to ascend 
the steep side of the hill till we arrived at the huts, which were situated on 
a lower spur of the Akka, near the edge of a large shola. Thick mist and 
violent rain came on soon afterwards; a herd of twenty-five bison were seen 
grazing on the opposite hill, and there were fresh traces of others near the hut. 
19th, Sunday.—Nothing seen. Thermometer, minimum 54°, maximum 60°. 
Elevation calculated to be 5600 feet. Cold wind whistled freely through the 
grass huts, the stakes were loosened, and the temporary erection nearly came 
down. 
20th.—It rained all morning. The Kader guides were unwilling to proceed. 
However, we started at 10 a.m. in search of the great valley alluded to in 
Captain Micuar.’s Report,* and in an hour reached a beautiful ridge, shooting out 
from the base of Akka-malai; there was short sweet pasture, and numerous 
indications of bison. The weather continued unfavourable, and so misty, that, 
except during a few gleams of sunshine, we saw little of the country. 
From this ridge (“Bison Ridge’’) we skirted the base of the Akka-malai, 
keeping above the sholas, and ascended the western side of the high range, 
which is clothed with remarkably short grass, to the right of the Akka. The 
previous afternoon some of the party ascended the shoulder of the Akka, which 
is considerably higher. Unfortunately, owing to the dense mist, they were not 
rewarded by a good view of the surrounding country. Mr Beppome has favoured 
me with the following note of his ascent :— 
«The rocky Akka mountain, which is probably upwards of 8000 feet, is quite 
covered, near its summit, with several undescribed species of Zmpatiens. The 
only other new form I observed on this mountain was a curious Crassulaceous 
plant, with fleshy peltate leaves, growing in sheltered moist nooks of the rock. 
Balsams are very abundant on these hills. JLmpatiens Balsamina, dasysperma, 
albida, maculata, campanulata, chinensis, tomentosa, verticillata, oppositifolia, 
Kleinii, tenella, rivalis, acaulis, modesta, latifolia, lucida, rufescens, Goughii, cordata, 
and several undescribed species.” 
Having proceeded several miles along this range, the summit of which was 
hidden in mist, we turned to the south-east. The mist suddenly cleared, and we 
got a glimpse of numerous ibex on the rocks above, and saw a valley which ap- 
peared to be 5 miles long and 2 broad, with large sholas on the other side. The 
wind and rain increased as we proceeded. We came to the junction of the 
Captain J. Micuaet, 39th N.I., visited these ranges in 1851; his MS. Report was of great 
use to us, 
VOL. XXII. PART ITI. (ant 
