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 of his step increases with the elevation, and,in the great majority of cases, rapidly conduct him to robust health and strength.

The monsoons seem to influence the seasons more than the declination of the sun. The sun is vertical twice a year, and consequently there are two springs, but these by the residents are little noticed, for vegetation is at no time suspended; the setting-in of the South-west monsoon is the most important day of the year. It generally sets in early in June, and continues till the middle of November; some years the rains and fogs are very continuous and disagreeable, and during others there are many intermissions of pleasant weather. The winter months are the most congenial, and this is the season when the Neilgherries are most frequented. Many visitors leave them during the South-west monsoon, averse to the rain and the fog.

6. COONOOR.—Yet the Neilgherries have an advantage peculiarly their own, and afford a transition of climate calculated to please and to benefit almost any invalid. If Ootacamund is found too rainy, foggy, and damp, one has only to cross over to Coonor, which is comparatively exempt from the above inconveniences and is considerably milder. It is only ten miles distant; is 12 or 1500 feet lower than Ooty, and 3° or 4° warmer. There is a very good hotel there, a good public