Gazetteer of Coorg: Natural Features of the Country and the Social and Political Condition of its Inhabitants

The Coorg country is formed by the summits and eastern declivities of the Western Ghats which separate it on the south and west from the woody tracts of North Malabar (Wynad) and South Canara (Tulu); in the north and east it merges into the table-land of Mysore with the only patially natural boundary of the rivers Kumaradhari Hdmivati and Kay.6ri. [...] Kudurcmukha-betta the far seen landmark of the mriner bursts into view from Canara; the Bettadapur and Chmundi bill in Mysore the Wynad mountains of Malabar and lioddbetta of the distant Nilagiris are clearly visible.and in the west at a distance of about 30 miles below the steep precipices of the Ghats the coast-line of North Malabar and South Canara. intersected by broad bright [...] From the configuration of the country already described it is evident that the main drainage of Coorg is in an easterly direction towards the Bay of Begal; while the mountain torrents of the western declivities of the Ghats flow into the Indian Ocean. [...] The Muttgremutta collects the waters of the southern slope of the Mercara ridge and the Chikkahole those of the valley of Hordrmirokalnad. [...] To level the whole clump the Yerawa has to cut the stem of each bamboo below and above his head removing each piece from the thorny embrace of the rest; he thus boldly advances into the clump and the further he progresses in his work the greater is the danger of the whole clump suddenly giving way at the slightest breeze and crushing the unfortunate intruder.