253 



Memoir on the Geology of the 



geologist and mineralogist, such a degree of interest, that I hope to 

 be excused if I give a detailed description of its geological features, 

 and that I may tire the reader less, I will do it in the form of a geolo- 

 gical itinerary. 



Leaving Ootacamund, and taking the new road to Koonoor, after 

 two miles we come to a gorge, formed hy two ranges of hills ; the one 

 to the left (N) being the loftiest, and the most abrupt of the two : 

 whose precipitous facade, overhanging the road, is not less than six or 

 seven hundred feet above it. The view from this gorge is really beau- 

 tiful, and particularly pleasing to the eye, on account of its more ex- 

 tended cultivation — a very rare sight among these hills. 



This valley is enclosed between two ranges of hills, both having near- 

 ly the same direction of N. \V. and S. E. ; and each having the form of 

 an obtuse angle, the upper and shorter side forming the boundary of 

 the head of the valley. On account of their direction, I shall call 

 these the eastern and western ranges. The eastern range is a di- 

 ramation* of the Doodabetta group, and, rising from its southern side^, 

 divides itself into two chains ; the one takes a southern directions 

 and, after a mile or two, ends in the vertical peak of Kaitee pass, of 

 which it forms the northern side. The second branch takes a S. E* di- 

 rection, and, forming the eastern boundary of the valley, stretches about 

 eight miles as far as Koonoor. The declivity of this chain, facing the 

 valley, is rather abrupt and precipitous for some miles, but the north- 

 ern side slopes into gentle declivities, and the whole chain decreases 

 gradually in height, as it advances towards Koonoor. The western 

 range is the continuation of the right-hand hill of the Kaitee pass, 

 which last, after stretching south for nearly half a mile, makes an ob- 

 tuse angle, and takes a S. E. direction ; but its new course does not 

 extend two miles, finishing in a gentle slope, w T hen arrived parallel 

 to the Kaitee valley. 



The length of this valley, so enclosed between these ranges of hills, 

 as far as the waterfall, may be about five miles, widening as it extends 

 southwards, and being interspersed with numerous undulating hillocks, 

 having the usual tame, rounded outlines, and very few rocks, or masses, 

 jutting above the soil. It is worth remarking that these hillocks are, 

 comparatively, divested of the arboreous vegetation, which invariably 

 occupies the ravines and hollows in other parts of the hills ; but this 

 want is more than compensated, by the pleasant sight of industry and 

 cultivation. 



Descending from the Kaitee pass towards the valley, after the se- 

 cond turn of the road, and not a hundred yards from the huge mass 

 which overhangs the road, we come upon a thick vein of quartz, in? 



* IHramation, from the Italian word diramato, we presume. There can be no objection 

 to the employment of the word on the present occasion, as it is so very expressive ; but 

 the excellent author has committed a coinage by using it as an English word.— Editor 



