HUNTING & SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



headman, but this sort of thing can only be done by a man 

 who knows both place and people. 



Added to bad water, great heat, and difficulties of 

 travel, the low country abounds in insect pests of all sorts. 

 As a cousin of mine remarked of the low country, " It is 

 very pretty, but every tree pricks and every insect stings," 

 which is approximately true. Ticks, minute creatures no 

 bigger than a mustard seed, form the greatest pest. They 

 hang in clusters on leaves, or blades of grass, which you 

 brush against, taking them unto yourself in thousands. 

 Their most favourite resting-place is between your toes, 

 and their bite, sting, or boring process, previous to sucking 

 your blood, may be likened to slowly driving a red-hot 

 needle between your long-suffering toes, or indeed into 

 any part of you they may patronise. The dry season of 

 the year is the worst for them, and the only thing to do is 

 to pick them off, kill them, and soak all your clothes in 

 boiling water every time you come in. In the wet season 

 you have leeches and mosquitoes, and a hundred other 

 abominations. I have seen friends, strangers to the country, 

 whom I have " personally conducted " on shooting trips in 

 the low country, come out a mass of sores from head to 

 foot in a week, solely from insect bites, ticks, &c., while I, 

 the case-hardened " old resident," had not a mark. 



Ants are another fearful nuisance it is next to im- 

 possible to pitch camp in a place free of them, for if they 

 are not there when you arrive they very soon will be, and 

 will take possession of all your belongings. During the 

 day the minute eye-flies simply drive you to bed under your 

 mosquito curtains, as they are unceasing in their attentions. 

 Snakes you need not fear they are very seldom seen or 

 met with in pukka jungle country. Don't be discouraged, 

 however, gentle reader, you cannot expect camping and 



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