1848.] 



the late Di\ A. T. Christie, 



155 



forms a succession of low rounded hills, wliich are intersected by streams, 

 and are every year partially worn down by the rains, which is perhaps the 

 origin of the river gold of these districts. 



"The Neilgherry hills are entirely composed of primitive rocks, con- 

 sisting principally of granite, gneiss, a large quantity of earthy felspar, 

 quartz, and a peculiar rock, which I would name Corundum rock, from 

 its having that mineral as one of its principal ingredients. I have met 

 ■with nothing analogous to it in Europe, and it occurs in great abundance; 

 many of the hills being entirely composed of it. 



" Some interesting questions connected with the parallelism and eleva- 

 tion of strata, and other branches of theoretical geology may derive eluci- 

 dation from a more minute survey of the Neilgherries and the neighbour- 

 ing country. 



"The climate and agricultural features of the Neilgherries are more in- 

 teresting, and more worthy of attention than their geology. These hills 

 rising in the middle of the torrid zone to the height of nearly 9,000 feet, 

 present every variety of climate, from that of the plains of India to that 

 of England. The climate of their higher parts resemble the great intro- 

 pical cities of South America,* which have become the centres of civiliza- 

 tion in the new world, but is superior in one point of view, being never 

 subject to those sudden changes and cold piercing winds which are occa- 

 sioned by the vicinity of lofty mountains, some of which are capped with 

 snow. The mean temperature of Ootacamund is rather more than that 

 of London, but its annual range of temperature is very small, and it may 

 be said that the season of spring reigns throughout the year. Yet though 

 there is no winter the heat is never sufficiently great to bring the more 

 delicate Europe fruits to perfection, and at this height we can only ex- 

 pect the successful cultivation of corn and vegetables. The valleys which 

 have the height of from five to six thousand feet enjoy the climate of 

 Italy — the climate of the vine, the olive, the orange, and the mulberry. 

 The tea tree is cultivated in China between the latitudes of 27° and 

 31°, in a hilly country, and consequently in a climate probably of 70° to 

 73° of mean temperature. Such is nearly the temperature of the valleys 

 in the neighbourhood of Kotagherry, and of many others along the 

 eastern and northern faces of the hills. The cultivation of this valuable 

 plant might therefore be attempted here, and with a much better chance of 

 success, than in almost any country beyond the limits of China. A lit- 

 tle lower down than this coffee might be produced ; its native habitation 

 being on the sides of the lofty mountains of Yeman, and nearly in the 

 same latitude as the Neilgherries. 



* Quito is about 9,000 feet above the level of the sea, Santa Fe de Bogota 8,000 feet> 

 Mexico about 7,400, and Cavaccas nearly 3,000 feet. Although the latter place has been 

 called au earthly paradise, its climate is changeable and unhealthy. 



