500 THE XOETHEKX FORESTS. [r.vKT IX. 



bar disappears with the change of tlie monsoon, tlie 

 pent-iip waters of the lake again burst open a passage, 

 and the salt Avater retiu-ns to renew and perpetuate 

 barrenness. The woods surrounding the lake abound 

 Avith pea-fowl and game ; and its shores are remarkable 

 for the profusion of wild animals by wdiich they are 

 fi-equented ; herds of buiHiloes and deer, wild hogs, 

 jackals, and hares. 



On emerging fi'om the forest, we obtained the first 

 sight of the lake, at its south-western extremity, near 

 the httle village of Amera-Vayal ', and rode eastward 

 along the shore to the opening which admits the sea. 

 It was a sultry day, and in the exhalation from the 

 salt-encrusted sand, we witnessed one of the most 

 beautifid instances that I had seen in Ceylon of the 

 Fata Morgana. The water appeared, in the distance, 

 to cover the ground over which we were to pass ; 

 and right before us, in its midst, we saw a fairy 

 island of graceful vegetation, and the shadows of its 

 tall trees reflected in the waves of the imaginary 

 lake. A ride of a quarter of an hour dispelled the 

 beautiful deception ; without entkely disappearing, the 

 hues and features became famter as we approached, 

 till they melted into ak; but not without leaving a 

 doubt whether a scene so perfect in all its parts could be 

 really an illusion. 



The Tamil village of Kokelai is close by the junction 

 of the lake with the sea, and in the vast pastures around 

 it, which are enriched by the proximity of this large 

 sheet of fresh or nearty fresh Avater, numerous herds 

 of cattle Avere grazing, the finest and most numerous 

 I had seen m the province. At KokotodaAvey Ave 

 came up Avith the Government agent of the northern 

 proAdnce, JMi\ Dyke, Avhom Ave found, A\'itli five tents 

 and a large suite of foUoAvers, encamped close to the 



* Amerawayeliam, in General Fraser's Map. 



