t?6 THE RIFLE AND HOUND IN CEYLON, chap. VIII. 



cataracts, its mountains, valleys, and precipices ; but 

 a portion of this country, called the Horton Plains, 

 will need a further description. 



Some years ago I hunted with a brother Nimrod, 

 Lieutenant de Montenach, of the 15th Regiment, in 

 this country ; and in two months we killed forty-three 

 elk. 



The Horton Plains are about twenty miles from 

 Newera Ellia. After a walk of sixteen miles through 

 alternate plains and forests, the steep ascent of Tota- 

 pella mountain is commenced by a rugged path 

 through jungle the whole way. So steep is the track 

 that a horse ascends with difficulty, and riding is of 

 course impossible. After a mile and a quarter of 

 almost perpendicular scrambling, the summit of the 

 pass is reached, commanding a splendid view of the 

 surrounding country, and Newera Ellia can be seen 

 far beneath in the distance. Two miles farther on, 

 after a walk through undulating forest, the Horton 

 Plains burst suddenly upon the view as you emerge 

 from the jungle path. These plains are nearly 800 

 feet higher than Newera Ellia, or 7,000 feet above the 

 sea. The whole aspect of the country appears at once 

 to have assumed a new character ; there is a feeling 

 of being on the top of everything, and instead of a 

 valley among surrounding hills, which is the feature 

 of Newera Ellia and the adjacent plains, a beautiful 

 expanse of flat table-land stretches before the eye, 



