976 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER 
V. 
July 6. 
Appearanc* 
of the coun 
try. 
IV aculeray , 
Br&kmans 
numerous, 
6th July . — I went three cosses to the place which in our maps is 
named Vachaleer ; hut which the natives, to my ear, pronounce 
Waculeray. The half of the way next Walur passes through a very 
barren country, on which, even at this season, there is scarcely a 
leaf of grass to be seen. It is thinly covered with bushes and 
stunted trees. Beyond this there is some cultivation; and towards 
some rocky hills, at the foot of which Waculeray stands, the soil be- 
comes good, and is well cultivated and wooded. Waculeray contains 
about a hundred houses, and is fortified by a wall and citadel, both 
of mud. It has no hedge. The reason assigned by the fatmers for 
living thus together, and for shutting themselves and their cattle 
within the walls of a fort, is, the frequency of robbers, who live in 
the hills and woods, and who in the hight plunder every thing that 
is not well secured. 
The farmers in this town are seventeen houses ; and there are 
twenty-two houses of Brahmans , who live better, and are better 
lodged, than the Sudras , although, except two or three officers of 
government, they all subsist upon charity. 
7th July. — -I went three cosses to Colar . The first part of the 
offiTcoim- roat ^ P asse d through a narrow valley, confined between two ridges 
of low, rocky, naked hills. The valley in many places has formerly 
been cultivated ; but now the whole is waste, and covered with 
bushes, among which th q Oleander (Nerium odorum) is common. 
Farther on, the hills to the right disappearing, the country in that 
direction is level to a great extent, seems to be very fertile, and 
has probably once been almost all cultivated. It contains many re- 
servoirs, but from the want of trees looks very naked. The spots 
which at present are cultivated do not seem to be more than a tenth 
part of the country. 
July 8, &c. 8th— 1 1th July. — I passed these days at Colar, examining the 
Country near g£ a £ e 0 f agriculture in its neighbourhood. This is the most level 
country that I have seen above the Ghats; but it contains many 
July 7- 
Appean 
of the coun 
try. 
