C 
238 MRS COL. WALKER'S TOUR IN CEYLON. 
even those who profess to believe in Christianity, are apt 
to recur to their old superstitions, when attacked by ilk 
ness or any other misfortune—inflictions, they suppose; of 
demons or evil spirits, and to propitiate whom they make 
their offerings and address prayers for relief. ‘The poor man 
seemed very tired of his long banishment, and anxious to be 
removed from this station. = 
* As we were to have a new set of Coolies here, we were 
obliged to remain next day to make arrangements; for even 
with the assistance of the Modlear, we had great difficulty in 
procuring people, and without him should never have $ 
ceeded. I was disappointed with the appearance of the 
country in this vicinity, having heard it highly extolled. 
I believe, however, the soil is very fertile, and produces fine 
crops of paddy, the only article raised; but I doubt not that 
coffee and other things would thrive as well were they tried. 
Until the place becomes more accessible by good roads being 
made, there can be no inducement to any one to settle here, 
or cultivate with a view to export produce. The expense of 
carriage would swallow up all profit; but I believe it is m 
the contemplation of government to clear roads through t 
district, which I should imagine might be done without much 
difficulty. The paddy grounds form the greatest obstacle, 
as the roads must be very much raised and extremely solid, 
the crop requiring to be almost constantly inundated. 1" 
wrong in saying nothing but Rice was cultivated at Birila- E 
panatra; as the surrounding hills have, in many places, been - 
divested of jungle for the purpose of planting Kurakkam 
(Eleusine) and other grain requiring less moisture. 4+ 
. people clear the sides of the hills, cut down the trees, and burn 
the jungle; then scratch up the earth a little and sow their 
seeds, After getting only one crop from it, the land remains - 
_ fifteen years useless, during which time the jungle springs VP _ 
. again,andthesameoperationisrepeated. Ihave remarkedthat 
| the first plant which grows on the lately cleared land is a species 
.. of Croton, which is very abundant in every part of the island 
i 
