OCT. — MAX. 1859-60.] Parvatipore and Jeypore. 



281 



which is another very similar in appearance, and of about the same 

 height. Passing on the east side of this hill, the road turns slight- 

 ly to the east and enters a more open country, bounded by low, 

 dome-shaped hills, and still little cultivated, although the soil 

 seems good, and there are great facilities for irrigation. The road, 

 though still a little stony, is over tolerably level ground and could 

 be easily made. At about 12 miles from Hookumpett the aspect 

 of the country changes — the soil becomes more decidedly red — 

 cultivation is more discernible, and the mango and jack trees are 

 again seen, affording a pleasant relief to the eye, wearied with the 

 barren and inhospitable looking appearance of much of the coun- 

 try through which we had hitherto passed. Three miles farther 

 on, the country still much as just described, but improving in ap- 

 pearance, and in increase of population and cultivation, we reach- 

 ed the large and picturesquely situated village of Wandragedda, 

 the principal village of a Talook belonging to the Jeypore Rajah 

 whose country we had now entered, and passed through, being un- 

 der the Zemindar of Madugole. The village is beautifully situated 

 at the re-entering angle (very acute) of two steep bills, covered 

 with jungle and small trees, down the gully formed by which rushes 

 a copious stream of beautiful water, which flows to the west and 

 irrigates the valley, at the head of which is situated Wandragedda, 

 and which opening out as the stream is descended presents a fine 

 expanse of rich land under wet cultivation. The village contains 

 some 60 houses at the foot of, and on the slope of the hills, and 

 altogether presented a much more comfortable and thriving appear- 

 ance than any we had yet seen. Leaving Wandragedda we pass- 

 ed through a magnificent tope of mango and tamarind trees, and 

 after following for a quarter of a mile the margin of the valley, 

 which is transversal, we turned to the east, and after half a mile 

 over a rather stony road, skirted by thin jungle, entered a perfect- 

 ly open country, soil red, and in many places strongly resembling 

 laterite, but with little cultivation, save about villages, small and 

 unimportant, with which the country is here and there dotted. 

 Half a mile farther we crossed a nullah and the road now very 

 good, as much farther in advance, we reached the summit of a ris- 

 ing ground, from which we had a view of a very extensive and un- 



