138 A Visit to Cumbauciim-droog. [July 



mendicants which infest its streets. The Friend in Need Society, if 

 they obtained a grant in this direction, might much enlarge the sphere 

 of their relief, applying the profits to a still further extension of the 

 same principle. Discharged and pensioned soldiers, would, I think, 

 also gladly accept grants, and again restore these districts to what they 

 once appear to have been. 



On arriving at Cumbaucum, about three miles from the mountain, 

 the village could furnish no supplies, and I contiuued my journey to 

 the first village in the Calastri Rajah's territories (Teltarverdi-pett), 

 where there was, certainly, a great change for the better, in the general 

 appearance of the country. 



The village was large, with good houses, a fine choultry, and a num- 

 ber of excellent horses, said to have been bred here, which may be 

 the case, as grass appeared, in great abundance, in every direction. My 

 baggage did not arrive till 9 at night, having got entangled in the 

 jungle, and lost the road, which is only sufficient to allow a bandy to 

 pass. 



The arrangements were soon made for ascending the mountain, which, 

 certainly, presented rather a formidable aspect ; and the difficulties 

 were not a little exaggerated by the people. It was agreed to start 

 an hour before day, as we might have a chance of getting a shot at 

 elk, or other deer, which were said to come into the cultivation at 

 night. This proved to be the case, for four very large animals were 

 seen within two miles, and, as one was supposed to be wounded, a par- 

 ty was left to find it, but without success. Smaller game appeared in 

 abundance, and a few hogs ; but they were distant, and the country so 

 stony, that the chace was soon abandoned. 



The ride was beautiful, and we constantly crossed streams of water, 

 which appear, at certain seasons, to be of great magnitude ; but, from 

 their present clear limpid waters, must, I presume, come from springs-, 

 and never be altogether dry. The jungle had many fine trees, mixed 

 with bamboo, and occasionally good grass-land of considerable extent. 

 Red wood abounds here, and many carts from Madras were collecting 

 it. Though the Pulicat lake is only ten miles distant, some obstacle 

 exists as to transport by that channel and the canal. They, therefore, 

 prefer going direct to Madras ; so other woods, fit for building, &c. 

 would not pay the expense of transport. 



In the bed of the river, I also remarked limestone, of a good quality, 

 and several villages in the neighbourhood, manufacture iron, from ore 

 which they collect on the hills, yielding about 50 per cent. The fur- 

 nace was of a very simple formation, and like a large crucible of 

 the best modern shape. 1 did not see the process, but the whole ex- 

 pense of these iron works, for furnace, machinery and buildings, could 

 not exceed three rupees. 



