Notes of an excursion along [no. 6, new series, 



The residency here, built by Col. Munro, is charmingly eituat- 

 ed on a slightly rising ground overlooking the back-water. It 

 is a lovely spot, and the park like appearance of the grounds at the 

 back of the house add considerably to its beauty. The garden is 

 spacious and well laid out, the walls skirting the water, and to- 

 wards the south is a small bay on one side of which is seen the 

 house allotted by the Sircar to the officer commanding the station 

 and immediately opposite the house of John Liddell Esq., both 

 prettily situated at the bank and sourrounded with Casuarinas and 

 other trees. 



On leaving Quilon, the scenery of the back-water becomes more 

 romantic and pleasing. Laterite cliffs, about fifty or sixty feet 

 high, rise on either side enclosing little bays with calm and deep 

 blue waters. These cliffs are very picturesque. Small shrubs 

 among which are Musseenda, Ixora, Osheckia, &c. cover the broken 

 sides and fallen fragments of rock half lying in the water, while 

 the level summits are occupied by gardens, plantations, or small 

 patches, of cultivation. Immediately on leaving the Residency, will 

 be seen on the left hand side at the apex of one of these jutting 

 cliffs, a small obelisk enclosed by a group of Casuarinas. This was 

 erected as a tribute of affection by a Captain Gordon to the me- 

 mory of a favourite dog, which was drowned near the spot. Be- 

 yond this on another rising grou'nd is a tiled Bungalow, charmingly 

 situated in a bay known familiarly as Loch Lomond. An officer 

 detached from the Nair Brigade to take charge of the out-posts 

 formerly resided here. It has been unoccupied for many years, 

 though occasionally made use of as a place for picnics and plea- 

 sure parties from Quilon. About half a mile beyond this the water 

 operas out into a spacious and beautiful bay. Into this extensive 

 sheet of water pours the Tiruvalla river, and there is an outlet to 

 the sea at its Western extremity known as the bar of Neendacara. 

 The extent of the bay is very considerable, enough to contain half 

 the navy of England, and in fact it is one of the largest harbours 

 in the Peninsula. Unfortunately the water is very shallow which 

 has been the great drawback to its use ; what improvements engi- 

 neering science might accomplish under European superintendence 

 it is impossible to say, but could this noble inlet from the sea 



