1848.] 



The Neilgherry Mountains. 



9 



The chief station, Ootacamund, from its su- 



Ootacamund 7,300 feet . o^rv , ^ .11 ^ c la 



above the level of penor elevation (7,300 leet above the level or trie 

 sea) is more exposed to this unfavourable action 

 than the two minor stations, Coonoor and Kotergherrj^ which are 

 each 6,000 feet above the level of the sea : although these latter are 

 by no means exempt from the same influence, especially during the 

 cold season, as will be seen by the Tables appended to this memoir. 

 Choice for invalids of A very great advantage enjoyed by the Neil- 

 three distii^ct settle- gherries as a sanitarium exists in the mean* 



ments, enjoying each o 



a difierent climate. which are afforded to an invalid to select the 

 peculiar kind of climate which best suits the malady under which he 

 is suffering— by the existence of three settlements, each under Me- 

 dical charge, situated in different parts of the range, each having a 

 different aspect, and each a climate peculiar to itself: that of Oota- 

 cam.und being the coldest — but most damp, Kotergherry the next in 

 the scale, and that of Coonoor the warmest. Thus an invalid whose 

 habits or state of constitution render the change, from the torrid heat 

 of the plains to the penetrating cold of Ootacamund, too great and 

 eudden, has the opportunity and option of acclimatising himself at 

 either of the minor stations, before exposing himself to the vicissi- 

 tudes of climate which await him on the highest level. 



The Vaiiev of Jaka- i "^^^ climate of the Jakatalla valley which I 

 taiia well sheltered, ^^d occasion to recommend to the Most Noble 

 the Marquis of Tweeddale for the site of the projected barracks for 

 a European Regiment of Infantry, and which has, I believe, been ap- 

 proved of by Government, will I think be found a happy medium be- 

 tween those of the chief and lesser stations. It is well sheltered from 



Enioysaveryevenand ^^7 Cutting northerly winds, which cause so 



temperate climate. ^^^^ sickness in Ootacamund during the months 

 of March and April, by the high Dodabetta range which bounds the 

 valley to the northward ; and the rains of the S. W. monsoon, though 

 they of course visit this part of the Hills, are by no means so incessant, 

 or accompanied by so much driving mist as is experienced during the 

 same season at Ootacamund. This monsoon (the S. W.) sets in on 

 the Hills during the month of June and is ushered in on the West- 

 ern side, including Ootacamund, by heavy rain and violent gales of 

 wind. The station of Coonoor gets the monsoon at the same time 

 but with less rigour, owing to the clouds which come charged with 

 rain from the westward being attracted to the earth, and induced to 



rOL. XV, NO. XXXIV. B 



