OCT.- — ma.b. 1859-60.] Parvatipore and Jeypore. 



283 



bushes, but no trees, several nullahs watering a good deal of 

 paddy ground being crossed, and several villages of some size 

 passed close to our place of encampment at Dadee, we crossed a 

 very steep wide nullah, with a small stream of water through it, 

 and with much in its banks and bottom of that peculiar yellow 

 ochreish earth, which is so often an indication of the proximity of 

 iron. Some years ago there was a village at this place, but it has 

 been abandoned on account of the ravages of tigers, which seem 

 to be much on the increase. 



Dadee to Jeypore, 8. From Dadee the top of the Ghaut, dis- 

 tance 4 miles, the road is a little stony and 

 rugged, lying between low hills covered with jungle, the Ghaut is 

 about 700 feet in height, and 2j miles in length, the first \\ 

 mile exceedingly rocky or stony and difficult, though not very 

 steep. It is well shaded, the jungle being dense on both sides, 

 and containing here and there some fine trees. The last mile of 

 the descent is still through jungle, and a little rugged, but pretty 

 free from rock or stones, and at its termination is reached a fine 

 river about 50 yards wide, and 7 — 10 feet deep, which we crossed 

 on a rude ferry boat. The river here widens out considerably, 

 and seems indeed to have formed a deep pool, but a considerable 

 volume of water was flowing through it when we crossed, while 

 during the monsoon it must carry off a great body of water. From 

 the river to Jeypore 6 miles, the country is better peopled and well 

 cultivated, the road some times rough and stony, but generally 

 pretty good, runs not far from the low range of hills that on the 

 S. and S. E. bound the great plain of Jeypore. 



Comparison of the Madugole and Parvatipore Routes. 



L Having now seen both routes, I have no hesitation in say- 

 ing that I consider that by Parvatipore infinitely the superior of 

 the two, and that for many reasons. 



2. In the first place the highest elevation to be crossed is in 

 favour of the latter route by upwards of 400 feet, a serious consi- 

 deration ; particularly when it is remembered that not only has 

 that elevation to be ascended, but to be descended, so that in th© 

 Vol. xx. o. s. Vol. th. w. «. 



