278 Description of the country between [No. 10, new series. 



REPORT ON THE JEYPORE PASSES. 



Description of th* route from Tahtaparty to Jeypore. 



Tahtaparty to foot 1. Tahtaparty, 5 miles from Madugole, and 

 Miles 6 ^ ^ miles from Vizagapatam, is situated 1J 



miles from the foot of the Ghaut at an elevation of about 250 fee^ 

 above the sea level. The ground about it is much broken up by 

 ravines, the soil being reddish close to the hills, from which as we 

 recede, it becomes more and more mixed with black soil, lime- 

 stone in minute nodules being extensively strewed over the sur- 

 face. There is a road made, so far as earthwork is concerned from 

 Tahtaparty to the foot of the Ghaut, and it is still, though un- 

 touched for several years, in very fair condition. 



Foot of Ghaut to 2. The Ghaut may be described in a few 

 top of do. 12 Miles. wordg> It isa Tery steep and exceedingly 



stony and rocky ascent, which to make into a decent road would 

 be costly, while the maintenance would be no less so. The ascent 

 is almost continuous, there being but few breaks, and these short. 

 The elevation of the top is nearly 3,200 feet above the sea level, 

 and 2,970 above the foot, and as the distance following the road, 

 is exactly 12 miles, the slope is, 1 in 22 nearly — this, inclusive of 

 level, or comparatively level surfaces, of which there is probably 

 about 3 miles, with an average slope of 1 in 40. This will leave 

 9 miles of Ghaut with an average slope of 1 in 19 nearly, very steep 

 indeed, and, being almost throughout overlaid with bowlders, rock 

 or stones, both large and small, the road is exceedingly difficult, 

 whether for horsemen or pedestrians, for bullocks laden or unlad- 

 en. The first half of the ascent was some years ago cleared of 

 jungle for a width of some yards on each side the road, but this 

 has again sprung up as thick as ever, and in many places the 

 branches and foliage overhang the path, rendering the passage dif- 

 ficult. The jungle on both sides of the road is in general very thick, 

 but trees of any size seem uncommon. The rocks met with are all 

 unstratified, and seem to be principally gneiss and traps, sand- 

 stone and conglomerate rocks being few, and no traces of iron. 



Top of Ghaut to o. From the top of the Ghaut to Minoo- 

 Minoo*go6ldbr 2 gooloor? a descent of nearly 500 feet, the road 

 is stony and steep, but well shaded. Minoo- 



