S8 THE PAUIS OF ASIA. 



buds of tlie cocoa nut flower, which they nip 

 off and destroy by scores, and of course lessen 

 by so mucli the future crop of fruit. Handsful 

 of the buds lay half-eaten around each tree, 

 and I no longer felt astonished at this species of 

 sporting. 



" The ground had evidently been well cleared 

 from jungle plants, not one of which was to be 

 seen in all this tract ; a stout and healthy look- 

 ing grass was springing up along the avenues, 

 whilst at certain intervals patches of Indian 

 corn, sweet potatoes, guinea-grass, and other 

 products, intended for cattle fodder during dry 

 months when the wild grasses fail — gave tints 

 of varied luxuriance to the scene. The ground 

 at this part of the estate sloped a little, and 

 I came to an open space somewhat marshy in 

 appearance. A number of cattle, young and 

 old, were browsing about on the long grass, or 

 sipping a draught from the clear stream which 

 ran through the low ground. They were con- 

 fined within a rude but stout fence, and on one 

 side was a range of low sheds for their shelter. 

 The cattle appeared in good condition ; they 

 were purchased when very young from the 

 drovers, who bring them in hundreds from the 

 INIalabar coast, and many Avcre then fit for the 

 cart, the carriage, or the knife. At the end 



