1836.] 



Aotes on the Climate of Coorg. 



343 



From the following statement, with which I have been furnished by 

 my friend the superintendent of Coorg, and which he regards as nearly 

 accurate, the population appears to be increasing and the average 

 mortality not considerable : 



1835. 1836. 



Total population 57,569 58,957 



Increase* 1388 



Births in 1835-36 2323 



Deaths do 1675 or 



1 in 35.5, which is below the average of several countries in Europe. 



The monsoon proves fatal to great numbers of bullocks ; and several 

 officers lost valuable horses, the first year that the regiment was station- 

 ed here; the Tatter died of a severe form of w 7 hat is called vives 

 (Laringitis) in Europe — since that time we have always sent our horses 

 to Hoonsoor or Fraserpett, on the Mysore border, during the rains ; 

 and it appears that the Rajahs w 7 ere obliged to adopt a similar precau- 

 tion with regard to their horses. 



Fraserpett, above-mentioned, is situated on the Cauvery, on the site 

 of an old fort of Tippoo's called Khooshalnugur — the country round it 

 is nearly flat, and thickly wooded— during the monsoon little or no rain 

 falls there ; and the climate is delightful, though, from its being one 

 thousand two hundred feet lower than Mercara, the heat is occasionally 

 oppressive in the middle of the day. 



The subjoined table exhibits a monthly abstract of the daily observa- 

 tions made during twelve months — and, though very imperfect, will 

 give some idea of the principal facts interesting to meteorologists. As 

 before observed, the absolute height of the barometer is not to be 

 depended on, it having been refilled without the possibility of compa- 

 rison or adjustment at the level of the sea, and the want of a maximum 

 and minimum thermometer, leaves us in the dark as to the absolute 

 mean temperature. 



The instruments are placed in a detached building, over the inner 

 gate of the fort, perfectly isolated, and open to atmospheric influence 

 on every side. The roof is covered with a thick thatch, and the sides 

 venetianed ; the interior is four and half feet square ; and the instru- 

 ments are suspended on a frame in the centre, three and a half feet from 

 the ground. The barometer is by Newman; of the thermometers, 

 one is a very fine one by Jones, one by Robison, and the third by 

 Dollond — all agreeing exactly in their indications. The pluviometer 

 (Howard's) is outside, on the same platform. 



Mercara, July 1838. 



* Partly no doubt owing to emigration from Mysore and Malabar. 



