8 



The Neilglierry Mountains. 



[No. 34, 



tract forming the north-west portion of the Hills, which is distinct- 

 ly connected with the Koondahs by a narrow ridge under Makoorty 

 peak. From the Dodabetta range to the eastern foot of the Koon- 

 dahs the land falls continuousl)^ when these mountains abruptly 

 rising obtain an elevation very little below that of Dodabetta itself. 



Atmosphere and cii- Owing to the great elevation at which the inha- 

 bited summit of the Neilgherries stands, and the 

 consequent rarefaction of its atmosphere, aided doubtless, in some 

 degree, by the beneficial influence of the luxuriant vegetation which 

 clothes them, the district, although distant only 11 degrees from the 

 Equator, enjoys a climate now famed for its great salubrity, and re- 

 markable evenness in its seasons, with a temperature which falls in 

 the coldest month of the year to the freezing point and seldom in the 

 hottest reaches 75^ in the shade. In stating this I of course refer to 

 the general circumstances of temperature which prevail, for seasons 

 have of course occurred during which from particular atmospheric 

 causes the mercury may have risen occasionally above this estimate. 



The coldest season is during the months of De- 



Colclest months, De- i i , , a -i 



cember and January, cember and January, and the hottest about April 

 Hottest months, April and May, though this latter season is not so cer- 



and May. id\n^ depending mainly upon the character and 



time of setting in of the rainy or S. W. monsoon. The hottest pe- 

 riod of the day is about 2 o'clock or 2h, 40?/z. p. m., and the extreme 

 range of temperature from sunrise to that time averages most com- 

 monly 16*^ throughout the year. The variation is of course the great- 

 est at the time of frost, viz., January and December, when the extreme 

 radiation which goes on during clear nights produces excessive cold 

 towards sunrise, after which the sun's rays, shining with great fierce- 

 ness through the rarefied atmosphere, speedily restore heat to the 

 earth, and the temperature of the air rises in proportion. Similar 

 causes, reversed in their action, necessarily produce sudden and great 

 cold after sunset, rendering the climate at this season (and indeed at 

 all seasons more or less) one in which the most healthy residents, and 

 especially those who have recently come under its influence, stand in 

 need of caution in their mode of encountering its vicissitudes. For 

 the reasons alluded to, I would venture to remark, that very early 

 and very late parades, according to the practice of the plains, will be 

 found injurious to European troops located on these Hills, and espe- 

 cially to those men whose constitutions have been worn by long resi- 

 dence in a tropical climate. 



