452 
NETRAVATL 
frequent openings of lawn and cultivated country. A small river ran 
on our left, and beyond were the hills, covered with timber to the 
summit Towards the north the chain of blue mountains was again 
visible. I was delighted with the scenery, and frequently stopped 
to admire it, and collect seeds, though the thermometer at this time 
stood at 9^°. As we approached Gurrup, the timber trees gave place 
to jungle, and cultivated tracts were much more frequent. I arrived 
there at half past three, having been above twelve hours coming 
nineteen miles. Here my peons applied for permission to return, 
which I immediately granted : they then wished for some cooleys, " 
for what purpose I cannot even conjecture, unless it was to ease them 
of the weight of their muskets ; but this I most positively refused, 
and they departed much dissatisfied. I staid here till six, when Mr. 
Ravenshaw's peons arrived, bringing with them fresh bearers. These 
did not go well, and in consequence I did not get to Ooperungeri 
till three o'clock, a distance of only sixteen miles. 
I awoke at day break and found myself on the banks of the 
Netravati, which, having been joined by the Gumardari, was of 
very considerable dimensions, though the stream was now low. In 
the rainy season this river is sufficiently deep to float down to 
Mangalore the enormous teak trees, and other species of timber 
trees, that are cut in the forests of the mountains that I had passed. 
On ascending a steep hill, I had a very fine view of the river 
winding through a rich country of intermingled wood and culti- 
vation. The Borassus flabellifbrmis was common; the cocoa-nut 
tree only to be found close to the villages. The country was not 
picturesque, from the hills being divided into terraces for the pur- 
poses of cultivation ; but the appearance of general prosperity fully 
