. surprised by the extent and beauty of the lake, and it 
; : islands, all of which are covered with thick jungle, excepting 
om € at one extremity, it is only separated by a narrow sand-ban 
_ The water at Wilmot Island is brackish, but said to be 
232 MRS COL. WALKER’S TOUR IN CEYLON. 
the first time I had ever been bitten by these creatures, 
though I had often witnessed their voracious attacks upon 
others; I had a great dread of them, but experienced no 
convenience from their bite, not even being aware of it till 
found myself bleeding profusely in many places. 
* We got back to the rest-house about 4 P.M., a 
deal fatigued, and covered with blood and mire. Remain 
at Hinnidoon next day, examining our botanical acquisition 
having sent our people to collect every thing new to be fou 
in the neighbourhood. At 8 next morning we embarke 
and got to Badagamme about half-past 4, where we sl 
and spent the next forenoon, returning to Galle in the even- 
ing, after a very pleasant excursion with which we were m 
gratified. . 
/. |. * On the 18th of February, we again set off from Galle, c 
our route to Matura, but made a slight détour from the mam 
road to visit Cogle lake. * On one of its seven Islands, our friend 
Mr W. has a comfortable bungalow, where breakfast was pre- 
pared for us. Between Galle and Cogle, the whole of the 
coast plants seem to be concentrated ; we found, in that short 
drive, all the plants we have between Colombo and Galle, 
and in the lane leading from the main road to Cogle, many 
others, particularly Solandra oppositifolia (of Moon) which I 
. had never met with on the coast before. In and about Kand 
however, it grows almost to a tree ; here it is only a large bush. 
A Pancratium, very handsome, Gomphocarpus volubilis, the 
beautiful Cultura Convolvulus, (Pharbitis ?) which I had seen 
nowhere else, and many others not in flower. I was quite 
. 
. the one on which Mr Ws bungalow is situated; he has here 
_ also a kind of menagerie, where there are some very fine elk, 
.  &nd other species of deer, monkeys, &c. In high tides this 
retty sheet of water communicates with the sea, from which: 
(farther from the sea; it seems of considerable extent, aboun 
