oct. — mak. 1859-60.] Parvalipore and Jeypore. 



279 



gooloor is a small village situated at the base of one of the ranges 

 of high hills which abut on the main chain and run in a North 

 West direction, and here enclose a very narrow valley, about a mile 

 in width, through the middle of which flows a stream. These hills, 

 which recede in height as we go inland, are here covered with 

 dense jungle, and rise 1,500 — 2,000 feet above the valley, their 

 elevation above the sea being about 4,300 feet. 



Minoogooloor to 4. The commencement of this portion of 

 Hookumpett 8 miles. , . , , 



r the route is through a long narrow valley, the 



soil of which is black, and covered with a long and very coarse 

 grass, more resembling one of the rush tribe than the grassy, 

 very useful and valuable as a thatch, but utterly useless as fod- 

 der seeing that no description of animal will touch it. The 

 scenery of this valley is very beautiful, hills on each side co- 

 vered with jungle, and at bottom, with large trees rising 1,500 

 feet above it, while through its centre flows a fine stream of water. 

 The road crosses 2 or 3 small nullahs, and is in some places rugged 

 and a little stony, but practicable for cart traffic. Emerging from 

 this valley the road enters a much more open, and very undulating 

 country, bounded by small hills, which gradually become bare of 

 jungle, and diminish in height the farther we proceed into the 

 interior. Villages are few and far between, and the country has a 

 bleak desolate appearance, by no means relieved by the cold 

 greyish black soil which supports an abundant crop of the long 

 grass before mentioned. It is no doubt however capable of better 

 things, and would I think, be well suited to the growth of cotton, 

 unless, indeed the elevation of the country be obnoxious to the 

 growth of that useful plant. The late season having been one of 

 the driest on record, we were of course prepared to find water un- 

 usually scarce, but throughout this region, even in the hottest wea- 

 ther, there is always more or less water to be found in the small 

 stream, which flows through the bottom of every valley, and of 

 which the high, precipitons banks afford ample evidence of the 

 torrent of water, which must at times swell it. On each side of 

 the centre of each valley, paddy might be cultivated for a con- 

 siderable distance, but the population is so scanty, and their wants 

 so easily satisfied, that they are satisfied to cultivate dry grain, or 



