xiii. 
work altogethei'j he succeeded permanently to the appointment, and 
afterwards became an Assistant Conservator under Dr. C leghorn in 
the forest department which sprang from this beginning. He had, 
however^ at times to return to his military duties, and in i860 he 
went with his regiment to Hong Kong, returning to Madras in 
February, iS6r. Tn 1 862 he was given a roving commission by Sir 
Charles Trevelyan to make drawings for the Government of all the 
hill plateaux in Southern India which were likely to suit as Sanitaria, 
or quarters for European troops, &c. 
A series of careful drawings of the Annamullay, Pulney* and 
Shervaroy Hills was the result. 
While at work on this commission he had great opportunities 
not only of following his favourite pursuit, but also of observing the 
habits of the various animals inhabiting the different districts. 
These well-known drawings proved that he was a most accurate 
observer as well as a careful draughtsman. Each series of drawings 
was accompanied by a full report of the districts,^ 
The Pulney mountains are situated between 10' and 10* 15" 
north latitude, and 77^ 20' and 77* 55" east longitude, in the Madura 
District. They extend in a north-easterly direction from the great 
mass of mountains known as the Western Ghauts, to which they "are 
connected by an Isthmus, or ridge of hills about eight miles in width ; 
being completely isolated on ever>* other side. To the north are the 
Districts of Coimbatore and Trichinopoly ; those of Madura and 
Tanjore lie to the east ; Tinnevelly and Travancore to the south and 
west. 
There is an abundant supply of water on the higher range 
throughout the year. Tn some of the valleys, according to Captain 
Ward, there are extensive morasses and in the swamps near Kudai- 
karnal peat of very good quality has been found. On these moun- 
' In the modem spell inj^ of these mountains Pnlnoy becomes Pulnf, Aiina- 
mullay— Anaimalais, Nicl|?hcrr)" — Nilgiri. 
* Since these reports were sent in the Pulneys and the other ranges of hills in 
Southern India have been most carefully surv^eyed, and the population accurately 
taken, &c. 
