tiger) and the tiger-cat. The hyæna is also found in the jungles, or woods, with the porcupine and ichneumon; and thousands of monkeys and squirrels, who sport and live among the trees. The wild hog, the rabbit, the hare, and a species of deer, are frequently hunted. Jackalls abound in great numbers; as do also the dog and the cat, in a state of nature.

The domestic animals are found in great varieties; some natural to the island, and many introduced from other countries. Among these, the buffalo, the sheep, the pig and the goat are recognized; but the flesh of these animals is inferior to those of Europe. Every description of English poultry, turkies excepted, is produced in the island. Ducks, geese, and pheasants, both wild and tame, abound. Snipes, . storks, cranes, herons, and water-fowls of several kinds; woodpeckers, wild and tame pigeons, partridges, honeybirds, Indian rollers, thrushes, taylor-birds,* fly-catchers, and swallows, are seen in great numbers. The beautiful peacock is often seen among the trees. The jungle fowl is about the size of our common fowl, but in appearance resembles the pheasant. Kites and vultures, of which there are many, make great havoc among the smaller birds.

Rats of various kinds infest the houses and the fields. The musk-rat is remarkable for the strong scent it communicates to whatever it touches. Wine is sometimes rendered unfit for use, from these unpleasant animals running among the bottles. The bandacoot is almost as large as a young puppy, and will often have the courage to attack a man. "The flor-mouse, or flying-fox, like the bat, partakes of the appearance both of the bird and quadruped; and its name is derived from the great resemblance of its head and body to the fox. Its body is about the size of an ordinary cat. The wings, when extended, measure six feet; and the length of the animal from the nose to the tail, is about two feet. These animals live in the woods, and perch on the tallest trees; when asleep, or inactive, they

* A singular little-bird, that forms its nest of a large leaf, which it sews into a suitable shape. Its bill is very long; with this it pierces the leaf, and introduces the thread.

hang, suspended by their feet, from the branches. They fly in flocks, like the rooks in England." Not having seen this singular animal myself, the above account is given on the authority of Captain Percival; but, both in Bombay and Ceylon, I have frequently seen various species of the bat hanging by the trees in the day-time, perfectly indifferent to the noisy crowds beneath them.

The SERPENTS of Ceylon are much of the same kind as those found in other parts of India:* The cobra-capella is from six to fifteen feet long, and its bite is very poisonous : it is therefore much dreaded by the natives; but some are found hardy enough to take it alive. One was killed in my presence at Caltura, by Doctor De Hoet, to whom it had been brought in a rush bag. When dying, its skin exhibited by turns all the lively colours of the rainbow. Other poisonous snakes are found in the island. Some, however, are perfectly harmless. Of the latter description is the rock-snake; which grows to the length of many feet, and proportionably thick. The rat-snake is of a smaller size; and so inoffensive, that the inhabitants allow it to reside in the roofs of their houses, which it keeps clear of rats, and from which its name is derived. When a contest between a rat and this snake is obstinate, they sometimes both fall together from the roof, to the no small annoyance of the company below.

Very large crocodiles, or, more properly speaking, alligators, are numerous in the rivers of Ceylon, and often prove fatal to bathers. During the progress of an embassy to the interior country, in the year 1800, an English soldier of the 19th regiment, being employed in washing some clothes on the bank of a river, was suddenly seized by an alligator, which sprung at him, and dragged him into the deeper parts of the river; the unfortunate man was seen no more! One of these terrific creatures was killed about thirty miles from Colombo, and being sent for the inspection of the Lieutenant Governor, it was measured, and found to be full twenty feet in length, and as thick round the body as a horse; two carts, drawn by eight bullocks, were required to convey its

A brief enumeration of these will be found in the notices of the Island of Bombay.

body; which, on being opened, was found to contain the head and arm of a black man not completely digested. The skin was of a hard, knotty texture, impenetrable to a musket-ball. A few days previous to my arrival at Galle, an alligator was caught near that place; and the remains of an unfortunate native were taken out of his stomach. This creature had destroyed several people, and the inhabitants at length united to accomplish his destruction.

The gwana in form resembles a young alligator, but is perfectly harmless. The natives esteem its flesh for food, which it is said tastes like that of rabbit. Toads, bloodsuckers, camelions, and lizards, and a vast variety of other reptiles of the same class, swarm in the fields and gardens throughout the island. A small and inoffensive species of lizard is permitted to live in the houses of the inhabitants. It possesses the faculty of running horizontally on the walls and cielings, in a manner similar to flies, on which they feed, and in which they manifest great dexterity. They, however, occasionally miss their hold, and sometimes fall on the plate or face of a person sitting beneath them.*

A species of leech which infests the woods of the interior occasions great inconvenience to travellers. They are so diminutive, as to intrude themselves imperceptibly into the shoes, and have not been suspected, until they have covered the feet with blood. I have seen persons who have been so desperately wounded by these assailants, as to render amputation necessary. A description of flying lizard is sometimes met with; but never came within my observation. Captain Percival describes it as having membranes extended along its sides, in the form of wings, with which it is enabled to take its flight from tree to tree: "it is not above nine inches long, and is perfectly harmless; although it is the only animal known which resembles the fabled dragon."

* A recent discovery, (I believe by Doctor Woolaston) ascertains that spiders, flies (and probably lizards) possess the extraordinary power of walking on ceilings, by exuding a viscous matter, which resides in their feet; and which, from its glutinous properties, enables them successfully to counteract the force of gravitation.

The INSECTS of Ceylon are extremely numerous, and many of them very troublesome; in which class we may reckon the musquito, a kind of gnat, and various kinds of ants: the white ant, which possesses the power of devouring almost every substance but metal and stone: large spiders, whose bite is poisonous: the tarantula, having legs four inches long, and the body covered with hair: the scorpion, which inflicts a wound which sometimes proves fatal: and the centipede, the bite of which causes the wounded part to inflame. Many other insects might be named, curious in shape, and brilliant in colours.

The island is well supplied with both fresh and saltwater FISH, many of them delicate. The shark is frequently caught of a prodigious size. This tyrant of the Indian seas not only strikes terror into the finny tribes, but preys also on the human species. Some English gentlemen, one day amusing themselves with bathing in the surf a short distance from Colpetty, were alarmed by the appearance of a shark. In the midst of their uneasiness, one of the company, a young gentleman named May, exclaimed that he was wounded. The water was instantly discoloured with blood; and, as he was hastening to the shore, the monster inflicted a second wound. he was unable to stand. artery was so completely stantaneous death!

On being taken out of the sea, It was found that the femoral divided, as to cause almost in

The fishermen, when angling among the rocks, sometimes stand for hours, with incredible patience, in expectation of their uncertain prey; but are compelled to use the utmost caution, lest they should be surprised by the shark. He is, however, sometimes caught with their large hooks; and when cut up into small pieces, is sold to inexperienced purchasers as king-fish; by which the imagination of the eater is preserved from the disgusting association occasioned by partaking of a fish which devours men. The real king-fish is a favourite at a Ceylon table, its flavour very much resembling the salmon, but of a different colour. Several kinds of flat-fish are brought to the Ceylon markets; among which the pomfret is highly esteemed: soals are not uncommon, and are very fine. The coast also supplies a

species of mackerel, and also of herring, in great abundance. Lobsters, crabs, and prawns abound; and, in some few places, muscles and oysters are obtained.

The Ceylon fisheries produce a considerable income to the government. They are let to the highest bidders; and the fishermen contract with the public renters. Whether this be the most excellent arrangement is questionable. Some are of opinion, that to throw open the fisheries, unrestrained by impost, to the industry of the fisherman, would in the end benefit the revenue, and encourage habits of industry in the natives.

Ceylon has long been celebrated for its excellent PEarls. They are found in a small oyster, which is caught in the neighbourhood of Arrippo and the Bay of Condatchy, on the north-western coast of the island. At the proper

season of the year, generally in the month of February, these two places are thronged with natives of various tribes with their respective priests and conjurers, on whose powers they calculate for preservation from danger. The officers of government are present to superintend the fishery; and a small detachment of soldiers is generally found necessary for the preservation of order. The government sometimes conducts the fishery on its own account; but it is more frequently let after the manner of the other fisheries.

The banks on which the pearl oysters are found extend several miles along the coast, and some of them equally as far out to sea. They are procured by the process of diving, a practice in which the natives are peculiarly expert. It is very common for the divers to remain under water two or three minutes, and some for nearly double that time, without taking breath. In the year 1797, it is said, a native of Anjango remained immersed full six minutes!

It is seldom that any of the divers are drowned; but the shark occasionally makes sad havoc among these intruders upon his dominions, and fills them with dismay and consternation. To preserve them from these voracious and destructive creatures, they are accompanied by the conjurers; who, standing on the shores, impose on their deluded followers, by muttering during the whole day a kind of incantation, in which they have great confidence. When it