John McCosh

“ Infinite as are the advantages of all, over the plains, their climate is still imperfect, and the rainy season neutralizes a considerable portion of the benefits that would otherwise be derived from them. Some will be disappointed, and after one or two seasons spent amongst the hills, without the desired restoration to health, will be under the necessity of proceeding to sea. ”

“ It is much to be regretted, that no sanatarium for the reception of the sick of European regiments generally, throughout the Madras presidency, similar to Landour and Darjeling, should be established in these hills, and I feel assured that government would be amply compensated for any expense incurred in its construction, by the saving annually of hundreds of valuable lives. ”

“ The sun is vertical twice a year, and consequently there are two springs, but these by the residents are little noticed, for vegetation is at no time suspended; the setting-in of the South-west monsoon is the most important day of the year. ”

“ Hoar frost lies white in the morning during November, December, January and February; and people ride and walk about at all hours during the day, in the hottest weather without apprehension from the sun;warm clothing is worn at all seasons, a turf and wood fire after dark, and a couple of English blankets at night are at all times welcome ”

“ They do not intermarry with other tribes, and consequently their type is well preserved, but polyandryism is their system of matrimony; one woman being the joint wife of the sons of the same family, which custom is so unfavourable to progenitiveness, that their numbers are fast decreasing, and the very race seems threatened with extermination, unless Government take some means to suppress the unnatural custom. ”

“ Coffee is found to grow admirably at the height of 5,000 feet, and there are many extensive in these hills; and I have no doubt that tea also would be a successful speculation, for this plant thrives very well at Ooty. ”

“ They are a very primitive, and a very fine people,entirely pastoral in their habits, and move about with their large herds of buffaloes from one locality and elevation to another, according to the season, living on the produce of their herds, and cultivating nothing. ”

“ CLIMATE.—The elevation of Dodabetta, the highest point of the Neilgherries,is 8,730 feet above the sea, and of the lake at Ootacamund, 7,361 feet; and few of the houses stand more than 500 feet above the level of the lake. The average height of the barometer is 23 inches; average fall of annual rain, 50 inches ”

“ At Sispara and the Avalanche there are very good bungalows, but supplies doubtful. Should the commissariat department admit of it, the traveller will do well to halt a few days at Sispara, for the scenery around it is exceedingly grand. ”