XV
4. Height or de-
pression in regard
to
surrounding
country.
Salem lies in a basin, and is shut in on all sides by hills, The town is
built mainly on the banks of the Teromany river, a small stream
taking its origin in the neighbouring hill ranges. From the bases of
the mountain ranges the surface declivity on both sides is towards
the river banks, so that the town lies actually lower than the sur-
rounding country.
5. How far from
(a.) The sea ... About 200 miles from the Eastern Coast, and nearly the same distance
from the Western Coast.
(6.) River
The Teromany river runs through the town, and ultimately joins the
Cauvery. It has high banks. On the east side of the town the water
is impounded by a dam for garden irrigation. The supply of water
never entirely fails, though in the dry months it is scarce.
(c.) Tank
Many tanks abound in the Salem valley, but they dry up in the hot
weather.
(d.) Marshy land,
and in what direc-
tion do these lie
with reference to
the locality.
None. There is a good deal of wet cultivation on all sides. The ground
slopes towards the river bed, so that the natural drainage of the
valley is excellent.
6. Level of loca-
lity asregards water
level in adjacent
river.
The level of the river bed opposite Salem is about 15 to 20 feet below
the level of the river banks, and these banks constitute the lowest
level in the town.
7. Description of
surface of country
around the station
or locality.
The Salem valley lies in between the Shervaroy and Kollamully ranges
of hills. The country all about the hills is broken and covered with
forest, but the valley itself is beautifully cultivated in every available
spot of ground, more with dry cereals and oil seeds than rice. In
good seasons two or three crops of dry grains are obtained, and the
cultivators understand the value of animal manure, folding their
flocks and herds on the ploughed lands as is done in Great Britain.
(a.) Flat ...
(b.) Hilly ...
(c.) Mountainous.
8. The effects of
configuration
on
movements of air
currents, and on
ventilation ?
The neighbouring hill ranges no doubt influence the currents of air, but
no minute observation has been made. A strong wind blows in from
the west, generally between 7 and 8 P.M., in the hot season,
supposed to be the representative of the sea-breeze on the Western
Coast. Dust-storms prevail in the hot months, but the station feels
the influence of both south-west and north-east monsoons. The hills
attract a much larger rain-fall than the valley. The quantity measured
on the Shervaroys is about double that which falls at Salem. Owing
to the proximity of hills, the atmosphere is a good deal clouded in
the monsoon months. Early in the morning, in the month of July,
I noticed a strong current of cool air setting in from the north-west,
apparently from the Mysore plateau.
9. Country open
or encumbered with
vegetation ?
Nature of vege-
tation, trees, scrub
jungle, and the like.
In looking down from a height, the town of Salem is scarcely distin-
guishable, being buried as it were in a forest of trees, which overtop
and conceal the houses from view. Cocoanut palms thrive very well,
and so do the tamarind and fig trees. There is no jungle nearer than
the neighbouring hills. The town itself is well planted with trees.