j\n. — mar. 1858.] the Travancore Backwater. 2 11 



pregnated with iron, which is perforated by certain minute insects 

 and becomes indurated by exposure to the atmosphere. This is a 

 curious point to be decided by Geologists. But the age, formation 

 and history of the laterite is still a qtiestio vexata, and until more 

 light is thrown upon the origin of so extensive a deposit, we must 

 remain in partial ignorance of its contents. A few scattered shrubs 

 are seen on these cliffs. A species of Barleria with pretty blue 

 flowers is frequent. It makes an excellent border plant in gar- • 

 dens. The Pandanus odoratissimus grows plentifully here also. 

 There appear to me to be two distinct varieties of this shrub. 

 One has a more bushy head, the leaves are darker colored and the 

 spinal processes are disposed at shorter intervals than in the other, 

 which is more open and lax in appearance and the spines are thick- 

 ly set together. As a plant for binding the banks of canals, &c, 

 it is invaluable. On the right hand side, about midway after leaving 

 the Bungalow lies the village of Paroor, where there is a famous 

 Pagoda and artificial tank. Near this is a mineral spring which 

 deserves to be better known. The water of this spring was former- 

 ly brought to Anjengo for sale. It was near Paroor on the banks of 

 the Attengal river, that a former *Rajah of Travancore encamped for 

 ten years in order to dispute the passage of the Rajah of Quilon. His 

 patience was rewarded after so long a delay by the capture of the % 

 latter Prince and the annexation of his territories to Travancore. 

 Paroor too was the scene of an action in later times betweeen the 

 British forces and the troops of the Travancore Rajah commanded 

 by the Dewan. A force moved out from Quilon under command 

 of Colonel Chalmers : proceeding to Paroor, he made a successful 

 attempt to dislodge the enemy from the ir situation. The Nairs 

 though far exceeding in number the handful of British troops op- 

 posed to them, fled in confusion leaving several guns behind them. 

 This took place during the troubles in 1809. Two or three miles 

 beyond Paroor, the backwater appears once more in view and boats 

 are in readiness at a place called Eddavah. This was formerly a 

 Danish factory, and the English Governor of Anjengo built a villa 

 there in which he occasionally came to reside. The village now 

 consists of a few shops and fishermen's huts inhabited by Moplahs 



* Bartolomeo's Yoyage to East Indies. 



