IS38.] 



Topographical Report on the Neilgherries. 



dical officer, those only going there, after trial of Ootacamund, 

 who have heen recommended by their medical advisers to do so» 

 Hence it happens that the pass has fallen into disuse. The descent, 

 however, is gradual, and might be made quite as good as the Coonoor 

 pass, as it has the advantage of being but little incumbered with 

 jungleSi 



The prevailing winds here are those of the north-east and south- 

 west monsoons. The former begins usually in October, and continues 

 until March, when the wind shifts to the south and east, or is variable 

 until June, when the south-west blows steadily. The north-east is 

 usually ushered in with three weeks rain, when it is succeeded by 

 clear cold weather and frost at night ; but in the day time, in the 

 heat of the sun, the thermometer rises to 75^ or 80° of Fahi-enheit, 

 and falls during the night sometimes to 28^. The coldness of the 

 air and its excessive dryness, which is often so great as to give no de- 

 position on the hygrometer, wither most of the more delicate plants 

 such as grasses, willows and garden vegetables ; but the large trees 

 do not appear to suffer ; while some thrive, as the Rhododendron^ 

 which then puts forth its brilliant carnation flowers. 



The south-west monsoon, which prevails from the beginning of 

 June until the beginning of October, is usually a very wet season, and 

 the air is generally saturated with mx)isture, as indicated by the hy- 

 grometer ; for, during the intervals of showers, a thick mist usually 

 passes over the hill^^, by whose gloom and damp the grass springs forth 

 luxuriantly, and clothes them, to their very summits, with a brilliant 

 verdure, which is truly of an emerald hue, when illumined with the 

 bright beams of the sun, at such intervals as the breaking clouds per- 

 mit his rays to pass. At the commencement of this monsoon the wind 

 blows very strong from the south-west, so as sometimes to be a storm 

 or hurricane, blowing down trees and blasting vegetation, as was the 

 ease in June 1836. 



In the neighbourhood of Ootacamund, there is open ground enough 

 for locating troops, but few spots sufficiently level for the ordinary 

 duties of parade, unless for light infantry ; but at twenty miles dis- 

 tance, on the road to the Koondah ^Aa^ there is an excellent level, 

 called the long valley, which is about five miles in length from east to 

 west, and a quarter to half a mile or a mile in width from north to 

 •outh. Through it runs a good stream of excellent water,and the hills on 

 the north and south give great shelter from the winds, which, during 

 the south-west monsoons, must be very piercing. On the plain there 

 is ample room for six thousand men, and it would be a valuable depot 



