DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0042
24
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER in its lower part by a reservoir. The head of the valley rises con-
I.
#ardens.
Weather.
■s
Curious de-
ception.
siderably, and consists chiefly of dry fields ; towards the upper end
some is barren land full of granite. The hills approaching here, a stone
wall, Math a gateway, marks the boundary of Sdtghadam. On the north
this, gate is commanded by a naked rocky hill, irregularly for-
tified by various walls and castles, after the country fashion. These
are called Sdtghadam, the Decany pronunciation of Sdtghur, or the
seven castles. The Malabar, or Tamul name of the place is Ela~
mulla Durgam. The village under the hill, or the Petta, is sur-
rounded by a wall, and is pretty considerable in point of space,
but it is ruinous. The district belonging to it is extensive, and
fertile. It is surrounded on all sides by granite rocks; and in the
rainy season, the water of three torrents falls from it into the Polar
near Amboor. The principal cultivation in it, however, is that of
dry grains, with some fruit gardens, for which it is celebrated.
The Nabob has here an extensive garden, which he lets to some
Armenians at Madras. The fruit, especially the oranges, are
reckoned the best in the Carnatic, and the choicest are sent to the
Nabob, and to other persons of distinction. This garden is a large
piece of ground, thickly planted with a variety of fruit trees ; and
to the roots of each water is conveyed by separate canals: but the
whole is kept in a very slovenly condition. More extensive gardens
might be formed here, but the expence of watering them would
be considerable.
Since leaving Madras, I" have found the weather very hot and,
dry. The thermometer at noon in my tents, which are Avell con-
structed for keeping out the heat, has been from 9.5° to 98*. In a
house it would probably have been two or three degrees lower.
The wind has generally been strong; but so arid, and hot, as not
to mitigate the effects of the sun, or cool the burning atmosphere.
I am gravely informed by my interpreter, a Brahman, that he has
relations, who live by performing a variety of wonderful feats.
Among others, they can make a Mango stone, in the course of four
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER in its lower part by a reservoir. The head of the valley rises con-
I.
#ardens.
Weather.
■s
Curious de-
ception.
siderably, and consists chiefly of dry fields ; towards the upper end
some is barren land full of granite. The hills approaching here, a stone
wall, Math a gateway, marks the boundary of Sdtghadam. On the north
this, gate is commanded by a naked rocky hill, irregularly for-
tified by various walls and castles, after the country fashion. These
are called Sdtghadam, the Decany pronunciation of Sdtghur, or the
seven castles. The Malabar, or Tamul name of the place is Ela~
mulla Durgam. The village under the hill, or the Petta, is sur-
rounded by a wall, and is pretty considerable in point of space,
but it is ruinous. The district belonging to it is extensive, and
fertile. It is surrounded on all sides by granite rocks; and in the
rainy season, the water of three torrents falls from it into the Polar
near Amboor. The principal cultivation in it, however, is that of
dry grains, with some fruit gardens, for which it is celebrated.
The Nabob has here an extensive garden, which he lets to some
Armenians at Madras. The fruit, especially the oranges, are
reckoned the best in the Carnatic, and the choicest are sent to the
Nabob, and to other persons of distinction. This garden is a large
piece of ground, thickly planted with a variety of fruit trees ; and
to the roots of each water is conveyed by separate canals: but the
whole is kept in a very slovenly condition. More extensive gardens
might be formed here, but the expence of watering them would
be considerable.
Since leaving Madras, I" have found the weather very hot and,
dry. The thermometer at noon in my tents, which are Avell con-
structed for keeping out the heat, has been from 9.5° to 98*. In a
house it would probably have been two or three degrees lower.
The wind has generally been strong; but so arid, and hot, as not
to mitigate the effects of the sun, or cool the burning atmosphere.
I am gravely informed by my interpreter, a Brahman, that he has
relations, who live by performing a variety of wonderful feats.
Among others, they can make a Mango stone, in the course of four