Royal Society of Edinburgh. 149 
Ponodcheo” (Beddome). A truly aquatic fern, a new species of 
Pleopeltis, grows in great abundance on rocks at the bottom of the 
Torakadu river. 
“The Rhododendron arboreum was first seen at an elevation of 
about 5000 feet.” 
Mr Beddome 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 new 
species of Impatiens. The only other new form 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. Impatiens Balsamina, dasysperma, 
Hensloviana, maculata, Campanula, chinensis, tomentosa, verticil- 
lata, oppositifolia, Kleinii, filiformis, tenella, and rivalis.” 
“Some of the herbaceous plants observed adorning the higher hill- 
side pastures were :—Flemingia procumbens, Phaseolus Pulniensis, 
Anemone Wightiana, Lysimachia Leschenaulti and deltoidea, 
Utricularia, Ranunculus reniformis, Gentiana pedicellata. This 
list might be extended, but the examples are sufficient to show the 
similarity of the Flora to that round Utakamand.” 
The general appearance and character of these high lands re- 
semble much the Nilgiri Hills. Here are the same rounded emi- 
nences and dense sholas, extending continuously for miles, their 
edges fringed with Strobilanthes, and ceasing abruptly ; the hills 
are conical, and the slopes covered with short, rich grass, abounding 
with such plants as Hxzacum bicolor, and Ophelia elegans: the woods 
contain Hymenodyction excelsum, and other species of the Cinchona 
family. Heavy rains, evidently the breaking up of the south- 
west monsoon, fell continuously during the period of our stay in 
these upper regions. The want of shelter, and the difficulty of 
procuring supplies, prevented us from proceeding to the highest 
parts of the range, which appeared to be about twelve miles ina 
south-east direction from the extreme point the party reached. We 
therefore reluctantly returned to the low country without fully at- 
taining our object, having been absent eight days. Three distinct 
tribes inhabit the Anamalai hills ; they are denominated Kaders, 
Paliars, and Malsars. The Kaders perform no menial labour; 
as their name implies, they are the lords of the hills; they will carry 
a gun, and loads also as a favour, and are expert at stalking game, 
but are deeply offended if they are called coolies. They are a 
truthful, trustworthy, and obliging tribe, and exercise some in- 
fluence over the Paliars and Malsars. Small in stature, their fea- 
tures resemble the African ; they have curly hair tied in a knot be- 
hind, and file the four front teeth of the upper jaw to a point, as a 
marriage ceremony. The upper ranges are in undisturbed possession 
of wild beasts; we saw a large herd of bison, with samber and ibex 
in numbers, and also traces of wild elephants. 
