FLORA OF THE ANAIMALAIS. 
the keeled vip2r (Hchis carinata), the common Indian coral snake 
(Hemibungarus nigrescens), Ancistrodon hypnale, several pit vipers, inelud- 
ing the Anamallay Viper (Lachesis anamallensis) _ and Russell’s Viper 
(Vipera russellii), all of which are more or less poisonous. ‘The cobra, of 
course, is also fairly common outside the evergreen portions, In the drier 
tracts the molurus python occurs. Crocodiles are found in the Amravati 
river, but do not attain any great size. The Indian monitor is common in 
the damper parts and is prized by the hill-men as a delicate comestible. 
Produce plantations. . Coffee planting was first. started in the Anai- 
malais about the middle of the 19th century. The then estates were 
limited to a few small areas on the northern slopes, reached by a tortuous 
and steep bridle path and a shorter but steeper footpath. About 1896 the 
far more suitable south-western slopes, forming the catchment areas of the 
Periyar and Sholaiar were thrown open to the planting industry, From 
that date very considerable areas of the magnificent - evergreen forests have 
been cleared to make room for coffee, tea, rubber to a small extent, 
cardamoms and a little Cinchona. There is now a very, thriving planting 
district lying about the point known as Valparai between elevations of 
3,000 and 5,000 feet to which access is gained by a remarkable ghat road 
of many “‘hair-pin” turns that,runs up from the plains to. the north 
(see plate 1). 
Botanical history —The oldest records of botanical investigation that 
I have been able to trace are to be found in the reports of the visits made 
by Captain (later General) J. Michael in October 1851, Lieutenant ‘(after- 
wards Colonel) W. Beddome and Dr. H. Cleghorn in 1857 and 1858:" Alt 
three investigators were pioneer Forest Officers and their reports were _ 
framed rather from that standpoint than from that of botanical research. 
As might be expected, the floristic information is meagre and vague, 
especially in the ease of Michael who was a soldier, a pioneer forester, and_ 
a mighty hunter but not a botanist. ee 
No doubt Beddome and Cleghorn recorded botanical notes but I am 
not aware of any such records devoted solely to this tract. I have included 
in the general list appended a couple of species quoted by Cleghorn in his 
_ “Forests and Gardens of Southern India” which have not been mentioned 
_ by others as having been observed in these hills, nor have they been 
observed by me. Beddomé’s notes are to be found in his “ Flora 
Sylvativa,”“ Ferns of Southern India” and Ferns of British India.” 
~ Lawson must have visited the Anaimalais, but I have seen no record of 
his observations there, Dr, Robert Wight resided for ‘several years in 
Coimbatore (about 38 miles north of thé tract), but there is no evidence of 
