lib CAPTAIN NELSON'S REPORT ON CERTAIN 



wealth is to be obtained here, I have applied to Government 

 for permission to reside on the Neilgherries, to endeavour to 

 retrieve my fortunes in planting Tea and Chinchona, which 

 has been granted." 



The story has a sad ending. Captain Nelson died with- 

 in a few months after he had left Kurnool. 



CAPTAIN NELSON'S REPORT. 



I proceeded to the river Kistnah via Pothacamore Durshee, 

 Chenaloor, and Vencatareddy Polliem, called Ragapolliem : 

 carts would go no further ; so packing my supplies on bul- 

 locks I proceeded by the Lumbadi track to llagaman Pentah. 

 It may here be stated that a Pentah is a cattle station. 



Between Vencataraja Polliem and Ragaman Pentah you 

 pass by a breach made by water through an artificial dam 

 or bund of enormous strength, which must have been 

 constructed to collect the great body of water which passes 

 down the large Nullah that intersects the district. The bund, 

 which is about GO feet high and 80 paces in depth or width , 

 stretches across the neck of a deep valley, the area of which 

 is probably about 500 square acres. 



The pent up water, as appears only natural to suppose on 

 looking at the site, made a clean breach one day through the 

 centre of the bund which crosses the Nullah, and the water 

 resumed its course. What must have been the bed of this 

 lake is now covered with jungle. 



Unless the features of the country are much changed, it 

 is impossible to understand why such a great work was 

 ever attempted, as the country all around is rocky and 

 hilly, and under no circumstances could produce crops. 



If it were intended for the irrigation of the rich lands 

 about Vencataraja Polliem, it seems singular that the site 

 for a reservoir should have been chosen so far off as 5 miles, 



