86 



Report on the MacJxcnxie Manuscripts, 



[July 



nary kind, and partaking largely of the Mahratta idiom, and grammar, 

 so as to form a middle dialect between the two. The book does not 

 require to be abstracted, as these tales are found in every language j 

 and as printed versions of some of them have heretofore appeared ; for 

 instance in the publications of the Royal Asiatic Society : an abstract 

 also of a Telugu work, on the same subject, was published by me in the 

 1st vol. Or. Hist. MSS. 



This book is slightly damaged; but not so as in any degree to affect 

 its legibility. It is written with permanent ink; and its restoration, 

 by consequence, is not required. 



Conclusion. 



The third part, or section, of my general report here ends; and 

 without any need of repeating observations already made, within it, 

 I trust, as a whole, it is sufficient, taken in connexion with preceding 

 portions, to show, that the Mackenzie collection contains, at least 

 some, really valuable matter ; and, that as affording materials even for 

 the dignity of history, it cannot be justly, and laudably, despised. 



Madras, March 31, 1838. 



II.— Topographical Report on the Neilgherries. — By Surgeon'D'EB'U'RGn 

 Birch, m. d. Superiniending Medical Officer. 



Ootacamund is situated in a basin near the summit of the Neilgher-. 

 ries in N. Lat. 11° 25' and Long. 76° 45'. The hills immediately 

 above this basin are the highest, which have yet been measured in 

 this part of tlie chain of mountains, which separates the Malabar 

 Coast from the Carnatic. Of these the highest point is named 

 Dodabet, which is 8,760 feet above the level of the sea, and 1,360 feet 

 above the level of the lake, formed by a large dam, which confines the 

 waters flowing from the surrounding elevations, which are partially 

 covered with beautiful woods, from whence the streams proceed. 



These groves are usually formed on the converging sides of two 

 adjoining hills, and consist of forest trees, mixed with brush-wood, 



