1839] 



On the Table land of Cunihauctim Droog. 



311 



VI. — Extract of a Letter from Captain J. A, Smith, Civil Engi -eer 



\st Division, dated April 18j9, on the Table land of Cwnbaucum 

 Droog. 



(Communicated by the Madras Government.) 



I have visited and examined the tableland in the vicinity of the Pu- 

 licut lake, described by Lieutenant-Colonel Monteith ia the Madras 

 Journal of Literature and Science, No. 12. 



The hill on which this table land is situated is part of a ridge con- 

 nected with the eastern range of ghauts, and is known by the name of 

 Cunibaucum Droog, llie inliabited spot adjoining to it being a village in 

 the Calastrie Rajah's territory, called Tallaripett, distant about 10 miles 

 from the Pulicat lake, the nearest points of which aye at Tudda and Bo- 

 lingarpollium, both situate on the high northern road. 



From Tallaripett the distance is about three mile?, the road winding 

 through a thick jungle to the foot of the hill. The ascent is irregular 

 and in some parts steep, but although there is no formed road there is 

 little difficulty in reaching the table land, which may be done on foot, 

 or even on horseback. The length of tlie ascent is about fcjur miles. 



On completing the ascent, a comparatively level surface, of fully two 

 square miles in area, is met with, the general appearance of which is 

 that of a flat basin surrounded by blulf ridges in every directi' n, and in- 

 tersected by ravines. The soil aj)pears to be good and is said to have 

 been productive and fertile, there are traces of cultivation, and the 

 ruins of a pucka building were pointed out to me. 



On my first visit to this spot on the 8th ultimo, a series of barometri- 

 cal observations was made for the purpose of ascertaining^ the he ight of 

 the table land above the level of the sea, the result of which gave an 

 altitude of about 1650 feet; that of the nearest adjoining petik to the 

 eastward of it, being nearly 1900 feet. 



On a subsequent visit on the If 8th of the same month, a fresh series 

 of observations gave the altitude of the table land nearly 1700 feet, and 

 that of the highest of the surrounding peaks, viz. of one distant about three 

 miles to the south-east of the ruins before mentioned, about 2300 above 

 the level of the sea. On the first visit the thermometer in the shade of 

 a tree stood at 80° to 81°, at lOi and 1 1 a. m., a strong southerly wind 

 prevailing at the time, and the sensation to the feelings being cool and 



