1 6 A 
CHAPTER 
June 12. 
Donays , 
which supply 
water. 
Granite. 
Cattle. 
Goats. 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
large rocky hill, capable of a very tedious defence, even without any 
assistance from art. Several Brahmans reside near the summit, for 
the place is reputed holy ; but it is kept in a very slovenly state. 
It is plentifully supplied with water from several large cavities, or 
chasms in the rock, which receive the rain, and by their coolness 
pi'event its sudden evaporation. Such cavities are called by the 
natives Donays, and in all the rocky hills of this great chain of 
mountains are very common. In the hottest season they never be- 
come dry ; but they have no springs to give a supply of fresh 
water, and of course afford but unwholesome drink. 
The granite, of which the rock of Rdma-giri consists, is very 
beautiful, and is composed of small grains of black mica, or perhaps 
micarelle, and of white glassy quartz, in which are immersed large 
masses of red felspar. It seems to agree exactly with Mr, Kirwan’s 
definition of granitic porphyry. It is a very elegant stone, and 
might be procured in very large masses. 
Cattle seem to be the principal object of the people of Rdma-girL 
On account of the great quantity of prickly bushes, and a number 
of what they call wild dogs, no sheep can be kept ; but there are 
considerable numbers of goats and cows. The inhabitants seem to 
be uncommonly cleanly ; as they gave me some butter that was 
free from any bad smell or taste, a circumstance that I never before 
met with in India, except where the butter was purposely made for 
the use of an European. 
Very few wethered goats are kept here, most of the males being 
sacrificed when young. Three males are reckoned sufficient for a 
hundred females. The females begin to breed when a year old, 
and twice annually have a kid. They give milk eight months in the 
year; that is to say, four months after each kid, and yield daily 
half a Seer, or about an ale pint. They are killed when eight years 
old. A young goat, male or female, sells for five or six Fanams , or 
for Ss, A^d. or As. 0 The tigers are very destructive to this 
kind of cattle* 
