412 THE Is^OETHERN FOKESTS. [Part IX. 



wliicli the muddy water is held, till about one half of 

 the seed is ground off, which minghng with the water 

 it forms a delicate mucilao'e. In the course of a few 



o 



minutes the impure particles being seized by this, de- 

 scend and form an apparently viscid sediment at the 

 bottom, whilst the clearer fluid remains at the top, and 

 although not altogether bright, it is sufficiently pm-e for 

 ordinary purposes. 



The necessity of carrying supplies for two months for so 

 large a company, through a country which, for the first 

 three hundred miles after leaving Kandy, was altogether 

 destitute of roads, rendered progress toilsome and slow. 

 Our day's journey seldom exceeded fifteen miles, as the 

 bearers and foot-runners coidd not accomphsh more, and 

 even at this pace they requu'e an occasional halt of a day 

 or two to recruit. 



For the first five or six miles after leaving Kandy, 

 we had the advantage of a carriage-road, and for twenty 

 more our route lay along a bridle-path, which had been 

 formed some thkty years before, for the purpose of 

 keeping up a military communication with the Fort of 

 Badulla, but this has been abandoned ever since the 

 opening of the highway across the mountains of Neuera- 

 elha. On leaving this rugged road, we struck into the 

 great Eastern Forest, through Avliich oiu- path lay for 

 many days, till we began to approach the low marshy 

 plains in the vicinity of Batticaloa. For the most part, 

 we made our way, under cover of lofty trees, along tracks 

 with which the natives were famihar, but which it would 

 be hazardous for a stranger to attempt to follow Avithout 

 the aid of an experienced guide. In fact, immediately 

 after descending from the hills, the face of the country 

 is so level, that no eminence arises for miles from wliich 

 it would be possible for a traveller to discern any land- 

 marks for his direction. Once or tmce in our journey, 

 we had an opportunity of ascendmg detached rocks from 

 which the level forest alone Avas visible, stretching aAvay 

 to the verge of the horizon. On such occasions, the 



