existence of several distinct floras, while the residence of the great Indian botanist, Roxburgh, at Samalkot has caused the native plants to be more carefully studied than elsewhere. The irrigated delta teems with weeds of cultivation, the uplands yield the plants of the dry scrub forest, while the hill tracts of Rampa present an entirely different series. The latter are most easily studied where the Gódávari pierces the back- bone of the Eastern Gháts, and the deep ravines near Bison Hill afford the nearest approach to a moist evergreen forest to be met with in this part of India. Among the interesting plants of the Gódávari gorges may be noted the beautiful blue Barleria strigosa, Oldenlandia nudicaulis, Sauropus quadrangularis, Bauhinia Vahlii, Euphorbia elegans and Payllanthus suhcrosus. Bordering the stream and in the rapids Euphorbia Lawii appears to be at home, while on the banks such exotic ferns as Luffa echinata and Melilotus parviflora may be found. Many Gódávari plants are illustrated and described in the magnificent Coromandel Plants prepared by Roxburgh while he was Carnatic Botanist to the Hon. East India Company.*[1]
Five kinds of cattle are locally recognized; viz., the désaváli (or country), the paramati (western), the turpu (eastern), the Kóya and the Sugáli. The désaváli are found both in the plains and in the Agency; in the latter they are called also gommu (riverside) cattle and are generally stronger than in the plains. The western cattle are easily recognized by their peculiar and plentiful branding and by the shortness of their horns. They are not found in the Agency and are imported in small numbers from Nellore and Guntúr. The cows give better milk than the country animals. The eastern cattle come from Vizagapatam, but are apparently merely animals bought as calves from Guntúr and Nellore and reared in that district. The Kóya cattle are inferior animals raised by the hill tribe of that name. The Sugáli breed are brought by Sugális (Lambádis) of the Nizam's Dominions to this district and are especially common in the Rajahmundry and Rámachandrapuram taluks. These Sugális are wandering traders and use the cattle to transport forest produce from the upper reaches of the river and to carry grain for the ryots.
Four kinds of buffaloes occur in the district. In the plains 'country buffaloes' and 'eastern buffaloes' from Vizagapatam district are the usual breeds. They are much alike in appearance. A larger kind, called the Bobbili or Gauvada buffalo, is less common. In Bhadráchalam a fine animal
- ↑ * This paragraph was written by Mr. C. A. Barber (the Government Botanist) for the Imperial Gazetteer.
