COORG
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is built in one of the loveliest sites in India, on the sides of the basin
formed by the expansion of the Jakatala valley, at the mouth of a great
gorge, and surrounded by wooded hills. It possesses a cool and equable
climate, the mean annual temperature: in the shade being 62°. In the
warmer months the thermometer ranges between 55° and 75° ; in the
colder weather between 38° and 68°. The annual rainfall averages 63
inches, distributed in normal years over ninety-one days. The rate of
mortality is remarkably low, and no particular ailments can be said to
be characteristic of the place. The town is well kept, but owing to the
increase in the population the drainage is now in need of improvement.
The European settlement is on the upper part of the plateau, and the
native bazars in the valley below it. The place has about 2o miles of
excellent roads, and several beautiful drives, along the sides of which
grow hedges of roses, fuchsia, and heliotrope, and some of which com-
mand magnificent views of the precipitous sides of the deep valley up
which the ghdt road climbs, the forests of its farther slopes, and a wide
expanse of the plains shimmering in the heat 6,ooo feet below.
Coorg.-A small British Province in Southern India, a picturesque
highland country, situated to the west of the State of Mysore, on the
summits, and slopes of the Western Ghats, and lying between 11° 56′ and 12° 50′ N. and 75° 22′ and 76° 12′ E. Its area, by revenue survey,
is 1,582 square miles. Its greatest length from north to south is 6o
miles, and its greatest breadth from east to west 40 miles. The shape
of the country on the map has been compared to that of an infant's
knitted sock, the heel pointing north-west and the toe south-east.
A narrow arm, about 12 miles long by 6 wide, projects northwards into
Mysore. The plateau of Mercara is 3,809 feet above sea-level at the
fort, and may be said to extend as far as Somvarpet, 26 miles north,
with an average altitude of 3,500 feet, but slopes down to the Cauvery
on the east, and near Fraserpet descends to 2,720 feet. Coorg is bounded
on the north and east by the Hassan and Mysore Districts of Mysore ;
and on the south and west by the Malabar and South Kanara Districts
of Madras.
The correct form of the name is Kodagu, of which Coorg is an
anglicized corruption. It is said to be derived from a Kanarese word
kudu, meaning ° steep' or I hilly.' The Coorg people are called Kodagas.
In the Coorg language the country is Kodavu and the people Kodavas.
Coorg proper, which occupies the whole area south of the Hatti or
Harangi river, is covered with forest, save where the clearing for a coffee
plantation or other cultivation, or the open glades
(brine) with their beautiful greensward and varied physical
aspects. lend a charming variety to the landscape. ..
In vain, however, would the eye search for towns and villages, or
other indications of civilized life. Only here and there in nooks and
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