a British province in the south of Hindustan, under the jurisdiction of the Presidency of Madras. It is bounded on the N. and N.W. by Mysore; on the E. by the British districts of Trichinopoly and Salem; on the S.E. by that of Madura and the native state of Travancore; and on the W. by the territory of Malabar and the native state of Cochin. It is situated between Lat. 10° 14' and 12° 19'; Long. 76° 36' and 78° 16'; and comprises an area of 8280 square miles. The province may be generally described as a level country, rising gradually towards its western frontier, where, at the deep gau of Palghatcheri (which completely intersects the great range of the Western Ghauts from E. to W.), it attains an elevation of between 800 and 900 feet above the level of the sea. On its eastern extremity the district opens upon the extensive plain of the Carnatic. The slope of the province being from W. to E., the drainage is conveyed by several streams to the Cauvery, and ultimately discharged by its channel into the Bay of Bengal. The chief tributaries of the Cauvery during this part of its course are the Bhovani, Ambawuliy, and Noyel. The climate is stated to be superior in point of salubrity to that of the maritime districts of the Carnatic. No considerable supply of rain is derived from the S.W. monsoon, which, being intercepted by the Western Ghauts, is thereby prevented from affecting the plains of Coimbatore; but during the prevalence of the N.E. monsoon, when the wind blows from the Bay of Bengal, the temperature is moderate, the Cauvery and its tributaries are replenished by the rains, and the low grounds become deluged with water. In winter there are sometimes showers with heavy dews, a very cold air, and south-easterly winds. The spring is generally dry, with light breezes from the S., and moderate dew. In April the weather becomes hot, and the thermometer ranges from 76° to 93°, rising in the succeeding month as high as 95° or 98° in the shade.

Among the vegetable productions is the Mauritius sugar-cane lately introduced, and the cultivation of which is officially reported to be favourably progressing. Experiments have been also made for the introduction of the American species of cotton, the produce of which, in this district, is stated to be well suited to the British market. Tobacco of excellent quality is grown. Forests of teak and other valuable timber, including the sandal tree, are scattered over the frontier hills. Iron ore appears to be the only mineral of importance.

Many sheep are bred in the country, of which there are two kinds; the one short-bodied, with a short small tail; the other of a thinner make, with long ears and scanty wool. Though small, they are of good quality, fattening readily, and affording delicious meat. There is also a breed of goats, which, however, are very inferior to those reared higher up the Ghauts. The pasture, though it looks bare, seems to be more nutritious than that on the banks of the Ganges. The wild animals are nearly the same as in other parts of India. Elephants abound in the secluded valleys towards the Ghauts. There are also black bears, which are not usually considered dangerous unless when they are molested; though they are very strong, and not afraid to encounter the tiger.

In the Madras census of 1851, the population of the province is given at 1,153,862, consisting for the most part of Hindus.

Coimbatore was first annexed to the kingdom of Mysore about the year 1746, a short time before the usurpation of the chief power by Hyder Ali. It was occupied by the British in 1783, but restored to Tippoo Saib at the conclusion of the first war with that prince. Upon the overthrow of Tippoo in 1799, it formed part of the conquered territory allotted to the East India Company, and was forthwith annexed to the British dominions.