183?.] 



or Pulneij Mountains. 



281 



in such places so completely disintegrated that it is reduced to a gritty- 

 clay, the grains of quartz only, still remaining unreduced by the action 

 of the causes that have so completely altered the other component 

 parts. The strata generally have a dip inclining to the south-west, but 

 varying in degree in different parts of the hills. On the terrace of 

 Vilputty it scarcely seems to exceed 45°, while on Permamallie it is 

 nearly 90 degrees. 



The village of Poombary stands near the edge of a terrace, com- 

 manding a view, in a north or N. N. E. direction, of a valley many miles 

 in extent, the sides and upper limit of which are bounded by precipi- 

 tous rocks, presenting the appearance of having been abruptly broken 

 by the sudden sinking of the intermediate portion. Standing on the 

 edge of that terrace, and looking at the rocks on either side, the strata 

 are quite conformable on both, and with a dip towards the south, of 

 apparently not more than 15 or 20 degrees. 



This valley in its outlines and general features is I think one of the 

 most remarkable I ever saw. Its sides are nearly straight, and are 

 perfectly parallel, united by its upper boundary, which is equally preci- 

 pitous, at nearly right angles; the hollow between, presenting the same 

 irregularity of surface that the higher grounds on either side do. That 

 valley, or, as it may more appropriately be denominated, strath, seems 

 very extensively cultivated, terraced fields being visible on either side 

 of a stream by which it is traversed as far as the eye can reach. 



The grassy tops of the^ hills are covered with a coating of very black 

 soil, resembling peat-earth, varying in thickness from a few inches to se- 

 veral feet. The sub-soil, where the black prevails, is a yellowish clay, in 

 some places of an ochre colour, but generally of a darker shade. Some 

 that I saw was stiff and plastic, probably well fitted for making bricks, 

 but has not yet been sufficiently tried to determine that point. Near 

 Poombary it is light coloured, and being used in the construction of 

 the huts, gives them a very clean and neat appearance, when viewed 

 from a distance, which is apt to make the beholder suppose the inha- 

 bitants much more highly civilized, and more cleanly in their habits, 

 than a nearer approach tends to confirm. The soil, about the valleys 

 under cultivation, seems light and loamy, of a reddish brown colour, 

 and, where well managed, produces large crops of the very few arti- 

 cles which the natives seem to consider worth the trouble of careful 

 cultivation. 



The productions of the higher or grassy regions are few, and for the 

 most part of inferior quality, not however as it seems to me from the ste- 

 rility of the soil, but from bad husbandry j the grain fields being every 

 where so over-run and choaked with weeds, that it appears quite impos- 

 sible for good crops to be produced. Some fields of Tennay (Panicum 

 italicum) however, which I saw were excellent,whether from the ground 

 being previously better prepared, or from its growing so strong that it 



