1837.] 



Account of the Province of Rdmnad, 



389 



rugged rocks, extending into the sea ; and these, with a great number 

 of shoals and hidden rocks, render it dangerous for coasting vessels. 



WOODS AND JUNGLE. 



This country is, for the most part, divested of wood and jungle. 

 Such as does exist is principally composed of the Odunkad, a kind of 

 low thorn-tree, of which there are various sorts; but none of them are 

 of a size to yield good timber. Near the sea-coast towns are extensive 

 groves of Palmyra and cocoa-nut trees. The northern districts abound 

 with the former, the soil being admirably adapted for their growth. 

 Mangoe, Illapay, and other fruit-trees, are scarce throughout the pro- 

 vince, and cocoa-nut trees are rare in the interior of it. 



TIRTHAS. 



These are certain consecrated spots in the sea, considered as sacred 

 places for bathing, to which the Hindus frequently resort on pilgrimage 

 from all quarters of India, to perform their ablutions, especially at the 

 nine stones at Yalimukam and Adi Setu-iirtha, which are renowned 

 places of sanctity on this coast. The act of washing in these places is 

 esteemed equally as efficacious for purifying, and absolving from sin, 

 as the far-famed Ganges. 



ROADS AND PASSES- 



There are several principal roads that lead through this country from 

 the neighbouring districts. The first is a high road that leads from 

 Tanjore by Kottapatnam, proceeds along the sea-coast, and is much 

 frequented by pilgrims who travel to and from the Ganges to Rame- 

 swara. About two miles from Kottapatnam the road leads into the 

 Tanjore country, crosses a rivulet, and proceeds to Sundrapandipatnam, 

 In its progress further, about five miles, it crosses the Pamban-ar 

 (which here forms the general boundary between Tanjore and Siva- 

 ganga); and about a mile south, leads near a fine chattiram in the 

 Sivaganga limits; west of Sundrapandipatnam, about two miles, it 

 crosses the Pashi river ; and, at a mile further, the Verashelai, and 

 thence passes by Tonde, where several cross roads intersect. Leaving 

 Tonde, it crosses the Munnimutu-river, and a few other small rivulets 

 and, at the distance of about eight miles, is intersected by the Kollai- 

 karai-ar, and, passing by Tirupalagudi in its progress, it touches at 

 Devipatnam, after which, crossing a few brooks, it separates into two 

 roads; the one leading along the coast to Rameswara, the other, cross- 

 ing the Vigay river, enters Ramnad, making through the whole of its 

 course a distance of nearly fifty miles. This, although a carriage-road,, 

 is very inconvenient, owing to the heavy sand along the sea-coast. The 

 second is a high road that leads from Trichinopoly to Rumnud, via. 



