TRACTS OF COUNTRY ON THE KISTNAH. J 37 



From Siddapore Iproceeded to Atmacore, distant 10 miles ; 

 the first four miles are thick bamboo and thorn jungle. 

 From Atmacore I again made for the river ; the latter half 

 of the road was so rugged that it was impracticable for 

 cattle of any description. 



The country on either side of the river slopes down 

 somewhat more gradually to the river, and the walls of 

 indurated mud which, further to the east, look almost like 

 artificial works, are no longer seen. 



Being now satisfied that the object for which I came was 

 accomplished, and that there was no timber (of sufficient 

 size to make it valuable) in the " impenetrable tract," and 

 that, moreover, if it existed, the nature of the country would 

 be an almost insuperable bar to its removal, I returned to 

 Ongole. 



1. Note. — In the dry and hot seasons, when grass is scarce in the 

 inhabited country, countless herds of cattle are sent from Doopaud and 

 the country to the south and east of Doopaud to these Pentahs, which are 

 always chosen as the best grass districts, and to the neighbourhood of 

 an unfailing pool or spring in some nullah. Here the cattle remain until 

 July, when fodder becomes abundant in the plains, and then they are driven 

 back to the south, and are dispersed among their numerous owners until 

 December or February, according to the season, when each herd is once more 

 collected and driven off to a Pentah in charge of two herdsmen, who 

 remain with them in the jungle, or hand them over to the charge of the 

 Chenchowars. In the case of an entire herd belonging to one owner, when 

 they are kept as breeding stock, they are only sent home for a month in the 

 year to prevent their becoming perfectly wild — these are never milked. 



These thinly inhabited districts, both on the right and left bank of the 

 river, are also much frequented by the Lumbadies who, when not engaged 

 in the carrying trade, and during the three hottest months, when they do 

 no work, make them their Head Quarters, — moving from Pentah to Pentah 

 in search of the best grass and water. 



Their cattle, which are mostly bred in the neighbourhood of Amrabad 

 (East Longitude 78°54') in and about 30 miles from the left bank of the 

 river, are remarkably fine ; stronger, hardier and more active than the famous 

 breeds of Nellore or Mysore. They have along horn, breed mostly a brown 

 red, approaching the horse color, bay, and have generally bold faces : their 

 price averages from 16 to 20 Rupees each. I am assured that a first class 

 bullock will carry a load of 284 lbs., and I believe I have seen them carrying 

 as much over this rugged country. An agent from Bellary bought eight 

 of these beasts on the part of the Commissariat at Pentlabant Pentah, 

 when I was there, measuring them by a standard before purchase. The 

 Doopaud breed of cattle which was once famous appears to have entirely 

 degenerated. No attention is paid to breeding and the same blood 

 is continued from generation to generation. They are very small sized, 

 leggy and small bodied, more like deer than cattle, and show plainly 



