Kornegalla. 109 



there are dense forests intersected by streams, in the 

 shade of which the deer and the elephant abound. 



In 1847 arrangements were made for one of the great 

 elephant hunts for the supply of the Civil Engineer's 

 Department, and the spot fixed on by Mr. Morris, the 

 Government officer who conducted the corral, was on 

 tlie banks of the Kimbul river, about fifteen miles from 

 Kornegalle. The country over which we rode to the 

 scene of the approaching capture showed traces of the 

 recent drought, the fields lay to a great extent untilled, 

 owing to the want of water, and the tanks, almost re- 

 duced to dryness, were covered with the leaves of the 

 rose-coloured lotus. 



Our cavalcade was as oriental as the scenery through 

 which it moved ; the Governor and the officers of his 

 staff and household formed a long cortege, escorted by 

 the native attendants, horse-keepers, and foot-runners. 

 The ladies were borne in palankins, and the younger 

 individuals of the party carried in chairs raised on poles, 

 and covered with cool green awnings made of the fresh 

 leaves of the talipat palm. 



After traversing the cultivated lands, the path led 

 across open glades of park-like verdure and beauty, and 

 at last entered the great forest under the shade of ancient 

 trees ^^Teathed to their crowns with climbing plants and 

 festooned by natural garlands of convolvulus and orchids. 

 Here silence reigned, disturbed only by the murmuring 

 hum of glittering insects, or the shrill clamour of the 

 plum-headed parroquet and the flute-like calls of the 

 golden oriole. 



