xvii, 
with a breadth of from ten to twelve miles forminfr an irregular mass 
of mountains intersected by deep valleys. The superficial area of the 
higher plateau has been estimated at one hundred square miles, but 
this niust include all the hills with the exception of quite the lower 
spurs. 
The Shervaroyen on the Green Hills is the highest mountain, its 
elevation is variously estimated, but from $,200 to $,^00 feet above 
the sea level is perhaps the nearest approximation ; the higher por- 
tions of the plateau are from 4,SOO to 5,000 feet: the western and 
southern portions attain the greatest elevation descending to the east- 
ward to 2,500 feet above the level of the sea. The whole range is 
separated into three divisions called Nauds, vh., Moch or Mogo-nAud, 
Salem-niud and Mootoo-niud. Yercaud,the present settlement, fs in 
the latter naud. 
The inhabitants of these mountains are called Vcllalersor Malay- 
alies (mountaineers), they numbered in 1861 about 3,500 and occupy, 
.seventy-nine villages scattered over the hills; very little appears to 
be known as to their origin. According to the generally accepted 
tradition they emigrated from Conjeveram about six hundred years 
ago; in appearance and habits they differ little from the inhabitants 
'of the plain, speaking the same language (Tamil) and being of the 
same religion (Hindoo). They are tolerably healthy-looking, and 
certainly have no appearance of a fever-stricken race. Their dress is 
similar to the natives of the plains ; a black cumbly is generally worn 
by the men in cold and inclement weather, but it appears to be 
considered too great a luxury for their women, who do as much, if 
not more, out-door labour than the male population. The Malay- 
alies, like most other hill tribes in India, are not cleanly in their dress 
or habits, their villages are usually situated in the valleys amidst their 
cultivation, and from the peculiar shape of their huts have a very 
singular appearance. They are of a circular form, the walls are made 
of split bamboo with an outer coating of mud ; the roof is conical, 
and thatched with grass. 
"The Malayalies possess considerable herds of cattle and a few 
goats. According to Dr. Fasken's Report on the Shervaroys, written 
B 
