838.] Topographical Report on the Neilgherries. 91 



so close at hand as in the long valley, the stream being at the base of 

 the ridge, at a distance of two hundred yards down the slope. This 

 ground is generally dry and the situation pleasant, being neither so 

 cold nor so wet as that of the long valley, but it is cultivated ground, the 

 property of the resident Burghers, who occupy the opposite ridge 

 across the stream ; whereas the long valley is an unoccupied spot ; 

 rarely trod by man. The climate of the former I consider preferable, 

 but the localities of the latter are superior. Both might be tried ; as the 

 one is as close to Coirabatore,as the other is to Calicut. By Europeans 

 the means of subsistence might be obtained as cheaply, or cheaper, 

 than in the low country ; because, oxen, goats and poultry thrive on the 

 hills every where, and sheep do well at Kotagherry, and the finest ve- 

 getables can be cultivated. Thus a certain number of troops 

 can be kept in health, and an efficient sanatorium established at two or 

 three points of these hills, and many more I doubt not could be found 

 by diligent search, and it only remains to be considered, whether, in 

 case of emergency, these men would be better fitted for active employ- 

 ment in the low country, than if they had always remained as they are 

 at present — to which, as far as my experience enables me to speak, I 

 should say that men in vigorous health would, notwithstanding the 

 great change of climate from cold and bracing to hot and debilitating, 

 be more capable of physical exertion than others, w^ho, though in some 

 greater degree inured to heat, have suffered from its effects, as it is 

 obvious they must all suffer more or less who have been so exposed. 

 This is my answer to the latter part of the first query, because there 

 can be no wholesome effect on the health of the invalid soldier without 

 discipline, and there can be no discipline of any value without the 

 regular duty of a regiment or brigade, and the establishment of such 

 on the hills I conceive to be a further means of keeping those well 

 who have not been sick, and thus diminishing expence by saving life, 

 and adding to the efficiency and happiness of the troops, and still 

 further as a consequence consolidating our power. 



On the Neilgherries there are but few rivers, and no lakes except 

 the artificial one at Ootacamund. For about a circle of ten miles 

 round Ootacamund the hills are rounded and not very lofty, appear- 

 ing like the billows of a troubled ocean in a calm succeeding a storm ; 

 the ground undulating rather equally in obtuse angles, each elevation 

 being from two to three hundred feet from the general plateau. Down 

 these slopes little slender streams ooze out, and the intervening val- 

 leys receive them, but, as they have neither weight nor velocity suflSci- 

 ent to cut out a channel for themselves, the valleys are usually swampy, 



