Zoology and
botany.
Temperature.
63
CENTRAL INDIA.
Lakes.—Within a radius of 18 miles are several fine lakes, which irrigate a large extent
of land in the cold and hot seasons. The chief of these are the Doongurpore, 16 miles ; the
Banda, 7 miles ; those of Nolsham and Chundawarrah, each 16 miles, and the Thanna,
11 miles. The Doongurpore lake presents some very picturesque scenery, not the least conspi-
cuous object of which is the palace of the Maha-Rawal of Doongurpore, 300 years old, and now
occupied by the present prince " Oodey Singh," which is perched upon the scarp of a rocky
hill overhanging the lake. This is the oldest family in Rajpootana, where pedigrees dating no
further back than our Norman conquest, are scorned as contemptuously as the descent of a
second or third law or cotton lord would be by one of our oldest dukes or earls !
Roads.— The roads are most execrable, and, though many native carts do make the some-
what perilous journey to Ahmedabad and Oodeypore, by far the greater part of the traffic,
which is very large at some times of year, is carried on by means of pack-bullocks and camels.
Bearing of the station.—T h e
g e n e r a l b e a r i n g o f t h e s t a t i o n i s a s f o l l o w s : 5 5 m i l e s d u e
south of Oodeypore, 107 miles north-east of Ahmedabad, 16 south-east of Doongurpore,
and 55 south-east of Kotrah, where there is always a large standing detachment.
The geology of the country is described as being of a primary descrip-
tion, and exhibiting striking evidences of volcanic disturbance.
Lakes.
Roads.
Distances.
Geology.
Mineralogy.— There is much oxide of iron distinguishable in decomposed granitic frag-
ments, and where it has been washed out by the action of water, percolates through
fissures of the rocks ; and both iron pyrites and the red and brown granitic iron stones
pervade the district. When writing this chapter in 1866, I had by me a specimen of brown
ore found between Kherwarrah and Banda, which was noted by me as containing fully two-
thirds of its weight of iron.
In this railway age of progress, there is little doubt that many years will not pass before
iron will prove a source of wealth to these wild districts.
Mineralogy.
Iron.
I have been unable to find traces of coal, or to gain any information as to its existence,
which is scarcely to be wondered at considering the primitive formation of the country. At
the neglected mines of Jowrah, on the road to Oodeypore, hematite and galena exist. These
have been noticed by my predecessors ; not so, however, the fact that gold of a very pure
quality has been obtained there by some European officers who explored them in 1875, and
in sufficient quantity, considering the very limited scale upon which their operations were
carried on, to render it probable that in a more advanced state of the country they may again
be worked with profit. Now that quartz crushing machinery has actually been introduced
into this country (in the Wynaad), mining will speedily become as popular an outlet for the
capitalist as cloth-weaving by machinery has already become.
Coal.
Minerals.
Here follows an elaborate account of the zoology and botany of the coun-
try, which is omitted for the reason already stated.
Mean temperature.—The mean temperature of the year was 77 . 60˚ (much about the aver
age), and the mean annual range 15.D
uring the months of April and May, the mean of all highest is recorded as 98˚ for both
months.
This is higher than is commonly the case ; and it seems to have been here, in common
with the rest of India, a more than usually oppressive season.
Climate.—
The climate of Kherwarrah is usually a mild and equable one, and the health
of the regiment, as well as of the few Europeans and their children, has been for some years past
very satisfactory.
Climate.
Rainfall.—This has been somewhat under the average for the last 20 years (26 inches).
For 1874 it was 25 . 03, though it commenced early, by two heavy showers in May, and set in as
usual in June. I have noted in my return for 1866 that the average rainfall up to that year
had been 27 inches ; since that year, however, the cutting down by degrees of the jungles
seems to have considerably decreased the annual fall and thus reduced the general average to 26
inches.
V. Lines.—The barracks consist of eight parallel rows of mud huts, the ends facing about
east and west, so that they are exposed to the sun during most of the day. As it has always been
considered good policy to humour and conciliate the men as much as possible, they have been
allowed to cultivate a few flowers in front of their huts, usually preferring a sort of yellow
pansy (" gaenda") ; also a pretty white creeper which is trained round trees.
They have planted many trees, "neem" " bergot," and " peepul" between the lines,
which have attained a fair size and give more shade than is quite advisable to the narrow
streets ; still they are so much attached to them that this has not been interfered with. The
streets and huts themselves are particularly neat and clean, and any exception to this rule is
smartly punished.
Ventilation.— The huts are ventilated by a door in front, and, until a comparatively late
date, by a round hole about ten inches in diameter in rear.
Rainfall.
Barracks.
Trees.
Ventilation.
This latter has, however, been improved upon by Surgeon J. C. Carmichael last year (1873),
the substitute being imbricated tiles sloping to let rain run off, and securing privacy as well,
with a fair amount of ventilation. It was described minutely in the report of that year.
These huts are occupied according to circumstances by two or three men. For many
years past there has been no overcrowding, as, though there is but scant space for a full
Overcrowd-
ing.