MRS COL. WALKER’S TOUR IN CEYLON. 249 
scenes, by far the most magnificent I had ever witnessed in 
Ceylon or elsewhere. I sometimes got out of my vehicle to 
botanize, sometimes to relieve my Coolies, and sometimes 
because I thought it was impossible they could carry me in 
safety. The first mountain we ascended was rich in botanical 
treasures ; the grass was enamelled with the brilliant yellow 
of the Ipsea speciosa; a bright deep lilac Melastoma, the 
plant low and small, with large flowers; two species of 
Gerardia, one with primrose-coloured blossoms, the other 
pink; the rich blue of the Chironia trinervis, with the 
showy flower of Hypericum Mysurense; but to attempt to 
enumerate them would be vain, both from my own ignorance, 
and their endless variety. Suffice it to say, we saw very many 
novelties, and recognised hundreds of old acquaintance ; I 
shall only mention one more, a very beautiful Orchideous 
plant with a rose-coloured flower, which we found in rocky 
places, where there was a good deal of water, it was quite 
new to us, and I hope my drawing will enable you to name 
it. As we continued to ascend, we found the plants to vary; 
several handsome species of Impatiens next attracted us; but 
I shall never get to the end of our day's journey, if I botan- 
ize any more, so I must hasten on. After mounting over 
rocks and over mountains, quite free from high jungle, so that 
our view was uninterrupted, we at last entered a thick forest, 
through which our road lay for a considerable time; here we 
found many ferns, one, apparently, with the sori on the upper 
surface of the frond. On emerging from the wood, we as- 
cended a tremendously steep acclivity from whence the view 
was superb, differing from all we have seen to-day by its great 
extent. Iam not a general admirer of very extensive views, — 
as they are frequently wanting in the foreground and near 
objects; but this, obtained through an opening in the moun- 
tains, had the advantage of bold rocks, fine trees, and all 
that one could wish combined. We had here attained our - 
greatest elevation; for the last four miles the road is level, = = 
winding round grassy knolls, generally crowned with wood, 
and following the course of the Billooloya, which " — - 
Vol. I.—No. 13. .2kK oo 
