84 The Rifle ana Hound in Ceylon. 



city itself is ruined in architecture. Few countries can 

 be more thinly populated than Ceylon, and yet we have 

 these numerous proofs of a powerful nation having 

 once existed. Wherever these lakes or tanks exist in 

 the present day, a populous country once flourished. In 

 all countries which are subject to months of drought a 

 supply of water is the first consideration, or cultivation 

 must cease. This was the object in forming the tanks, 

 which are especially numerous throughout the Tam- 

 bancadua district. These tank countries afford a great 

 diversity of sport, as they all abound with wild-fowl 

 and with snipe in their season (from November to 

 May). During the time of drought they are always 

 the resort of every kind of wild animal, who are forced 

 to the neighborhood for a supply of water. 



The next tank to Topari is that of Doolana ; this is 

 eight miles from the former, and is of about the same 

 extent. In this district there are no less than eight of 

 these large lakes. Their attractions to rogue elephants 

 having been explained, it may be readily understood 

 that these gentry abound throughout the district. I 

 shall, therefore, select a few incidents which have hap- 

 pened to me in these localities, which will afford 

 excellent illustrations of the habits of " rogues." 



Having arrived at Doolana, on the 5th April, 1847, 

 with excellent Moormen trackers, who were elephant- 

 catchers by profession, I started for a day's sport in 

 company with my brother B. This particular portion 

 of the district is inhabited entirely by Moormen. They 

 are a fine race of people, far superior to the Cingalese. 

 They are supposed to be descended from Arabian origin, 

 and they hold the Mohammedan religion. The Rhata- 

 mahatmeya, or head man of the district, resides at 



