uo THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. vii. 



CHAPTER VII 



Capabilities of Ceylon— Deer at Illepecadewe — Sagacity of a Pariah 

 Dog — Two Deer at One Shot — Deer-stalking — Hambantotte Coun- 

 try — Kattregam Festival — Sitrawelle — Ruins of Ancient Mahagam — 

 Wiharewelle — A Night Attack upon Elephants — Shooting by Moon- 

 light — Yalle River — Another Rogue — A Stroll before Breakfast — 

 A Curious Shot — A Good Day's Sport. 



There are few countries which present a more lovely- 

 appearance than Ceylon. There is a diversity in the 

 scenery which refreshes the eye ; and although the 

 evergreen appearance might appear monotonous to 

 some persons, still, were they residents, they would 

 observe that the colour of the foliage is undergoing a 

 constant change by the varying tints of the leaves in 

 the different stages of their growth. These tints are 

 far more lovely than the autumnal shades of England, 

 and their brilliancy is enhanced by the idea that it is 

 the bursting of the young leaf into life, the freshness 

 of youth instead of the sere leaf of a past summer, 

 which, after gilding for a few days the beauty of the 

 woods, drops from frozen branches and deserts them. 

 Every shade of colour is seen in the Ceylon forests, as 

 the young leaves are constantly replacing those which 



