-330 Ql^sq^iqcU/OJfS on flic Flora of Courhdluin. [Oct. 



^VII. — Observations on the riora of Conrltill iim. — By 

 Robert Wight, m. n. Sifr<j;i'on, S.y/ /\r<rt. ./V. /. 



The following dcb^ullory ()l)S(M-va(ioiis on (ho climate 

 and flora of an interesting tract of country, nre dj:»|\vu 

 up from occasional memoranda made during two buriji^ci 

 vi.?its, and arc imperfect in many points, but stiH, 

 such as will, I trust, be co^nsiderod worthy of a place iix 

 the r^>Iadras Journal ; if not for any value they rnay 

 thera.selves possess, at least as an inducement to others, 

 to come forward with similar remarks made in circum- 

 stances more favourable to the attainment of minute 

 ""apcuracy. 



' ^ In offering remarks on the vegetation of a country, it 

 IS customary to premise some account of its soil and 

 <)liniate generally, to enable those wdio take an interest 

 in such enquiries, but who have not had an opportunity 

 of examining these particulars, to judge from analogy of 

 the acclaracy of the details submitted, as well as to form 

 analogies fpr other localities. 



In compliance with this custom, I shall devote this 

 paper to a general account of the soil and climate of 

 Courtallumi and of , the causes by which the latter is so 

 much modified, as to make it differ from that of every 



.other part of the Indian peninsula, perhaps even of the 



•J - . ■ 



•world ; and in my next, enter more at large on the exa- 

 ^rinination of its vegetable products, combining such re- 

 -marks as occasion offers, on its capability both in a hor- 

 ticultural and as^ricultural point of view. 



The plain of Courtallum is situated in a small recess, 

 formed by the retiring of a portion of thatgrc at range of 

 mountains which divide the southern extremity of the 

 '^'peninsula into two unequal parts, and is consequently 

 surrounded on three sides by hills. At this place the 

 mountain range sustains a considerable diminution both 

 in its height and breadth, and is besides, divided 



