288 



Memoir on the Geology of lh> 



[Oct. 



certain erosions or perforations in a ledge of rocks in the bed of a 

 rivulet, evidently produced by the attrition, or wearing action of peb- 

 bles, which, falling in little cavities on the surface of the rock, were by 

 the violent impetus and celerity of the running water, whirled round 

 and tossed about, striking against the walls of the cavity, and so en- 

 larging it, the pebbles themselves having their angles worn off, and 

 becoming rounded. 



This phenomenon struck me as exceedingly interesting in a geologi- 

 cal point of view, as it may contribute to explain similar appearances 

 found on the summit of mountains in Europe, which have hitherto 

 baffled the ingenuity of some geologists. But although the locality of 

 these perforations was but fifty yards from the tents, I was so tired and 

 exhausted by the long journey, that we postponed the visit for the mor- 

 row on our return from the peak. Punctually by 7 o'clock, we were on 

 our ponies and began the ascent. 



This undertaking is by no means difficult or fatiguing, although a 

 good deal more so, than the ascent to Doodabetta. We ascended suc- 

 cessively three hills, one rising above the other, covered as usual with 

 thick turf, rounded, and quite easy of access even on horseback. After 

 the third hill we came to a slightly sloping table-land, which forms, as 

 it were, a gently rising pedestal to the huge pyramid of the peak. 

 From this place we sent back the ponies, as we intended to descend on 

 foot, and we walked up the insensible ascent to the foot of the peak. 

 My companion and cicerone, who had been at the top of the peak the 

 day before, and knew all the points whence the view was most admira- 

 ble, took me to the gorge at the foot of the south declivity of the high- 

 est peak. I say highest, because there are two more, besides that seen 

 from the cantonment, which is the loftiest. These peaks and the neigh- 

 bouring mountains are well marked in the map. 



At last we came up to the gorge "What a view ! Who can de- 

 scribe in words the scenery which burst all at once on our sight I I 

 doubt much whether even the pencil could give, not an adequate re- 

 presentation, but an approximation to it, of the terrific spectacle that 

 came to view. To the south of where we stood the northern termina- 

 tion of the Koondahs rose in abrupt escarpments and verticalprecipices, 

 to the enormous height of 8000 feet, excavated and furrowed by deep 

 ravines. Sharp mural spurs project from their rugged abrupt facades, 

 like so many props for the support of those gigantic walls j some of 

 them, thousands of feet high, have not breadth proportionate to such 

 an altitude ; and they decrease, as they shoot upwards, to an oblong 

 sharp edge, forming the summits of these wall-like escarpments. 



A sentiment of deep wonder must influence the beholder of such wild 

 solitude and grandeur, rising majestically above the tame, monotonous 

 plains of Malabar. I never saw such impressive mountain scenery be- 



