worked successfully, although, of course, virgin forest
soil is much preferred, and less risky. These jungles,
when not planted, have an undergrowth of the common
Bracken (Pteris aquilina), and generally patches of date
grass, used for thatching; the latter grows to a height
of three or four feet and is very strong; its yellow fruit,
of the size of a small cherry, the natives are fond of.
Also many useful trees and shrubs are found here,
as theE
mblic myrabolans (Phyllantus officinalis) : Bearing
a little, semi-transparent, green fruit like a
gooseberry; it is very acid, and no native
curry is complete without it.
The Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): A pod, used
similarly, also preserved in sugar.
The Indian laburnum (Cassia fistula) : The pulp of
its seed used medicinally, and the hark for
tanning; flower, bright golden cluster, and
a great many others.
On reaching the summit the view is singularly
beautiful, first the forest-clad hills, in many places
precipitously cut into ravines, beyond, wide rich
undulating plains watered by silvery streams, and in
the distance a magnificent chain of mountains, being
part of the Western Ghauts, the most beautiful spur
of which is the Babu Budan to the north, E. Long. 7 5, 37
to 75, 50, N. Lat. 13, 34 to 13, 22, forming a right
angle, the two arms taking a westerly and southerly
direction, respectively, each about 15 miles in length, and
its most southerly peak, the Mulain-giri, rising to a
height of 6,317 feet above the level of the sea. The
atmosphere here being very rarified, one has a clear view
of mountains nearly all round, Mysore being a
plateau locked in between the Eastern and Western
Ghauts.
, Having given some idea of the “ flora ” of Mysore,
I will now add a few words on her “ fauna.” There
are neither elephants nor lions now in this part of
India, and even tigers and bisons are not very
frequent, but the cheeta, jackal, and monkey, the
planter’s enemy, the latter having a partiality for the
coffee berry, are plentiful, and the sportsman has a
choice of game in the spotted deer, a very pretty,
sagacious animal, the hog-deer, and the jungle sheep,
which is delicious eating; it has however, neither the
beautiful horns, nor is it as large as the gigantic wild
sheep (Ovis poli) of the Tian Shan range in central
Asia, of which an excellent description appears in
Lieut.-Col. Gordon’s “ Hoof of the World.”
Squirrels and rats are in abundance. Of reptiles,
K 2