chap. I. VARIETIES OF GAME IN CEYLON. 19 



for ; death and destruction to the hounds generally 

 being attendant upon his capture. The bear and 

 leopard also do not form separate sports ; they are 

 merely killed when met with. 



In giving an account of each kind of sport I shall 

 explain the habits of the animal and the features of 

 the country wherein every incident occurs, Ceylon 

 scenery being so diversified that no general description 

 could give a correct idea of Ceylon sports. 



The guns are the first consideration. After the 

 first year of my experience I had four rifles made to 

 order, which have proved themselves perfect weapons 

 in all respects, and exactly adapted for heavy game. 

 They are double-barrelled, No. 10 bores, and of such 

 power in metal that they weigh fifteen pounds each. 

 I consider them perfection ; but should others con- 

 sider them too heavy, a pound taken from the weight 

 of the barrels would make a perceptible difference. 

 I would in all cases strongly deprecate the two- 

 grooved rifle for wild sports, on account of the diffi- 

 culty in loading quickly. A No. 10 twelve-grooved 

 rifle will carry a conical ball of two ounces and a half, 

 and can be loaded as quickly as a smooth-bore. 

 Some persons prefer the latter to rifles for elephant- 

 shooting, but I cannot myself understand why a de- 

 cidedly imperfect weapon should be used when the 

 rifle offers such superior advantages. At twenty and 



