THE PALMS OF ASIA. 113 



open, yet it fulJs close like a lady's fan, and 

 then is no bigger than a man's arm, and ex- 

 tremely light. This is a marvellous mercy, 

 Avhich Almighty God hath bestowed upon this 

 poor and naked people in this rainy country." 

 lie ought to have added, " in this hot country,'^ 

 for the heats of Ceylon, -whose mean tempe- 

 rature is 81°, are frequently, and for long 

 periods, very great ; and the talipat leaf is 

 quite as valuable a protection against them 

 as against rain. However much water may 

 fall on the leaf, it imbibes no humidity, re- 

 maining dry and light as ever. The British 

 troops, in their campaign in the jungles against 

 the Cingalese, in 1817 and 1818, found to their 

 cost how excellent a preservation it was against 

 Avet and damp. The enemy's musket men were 

 furnished each Avilh a talipat leaf, by means of 

 which they always kept their arms and powder 

 perfectly dry, and could fire upon the invading 

 forces ; while frequently the British muskets, 

 which had no such protection, were rendered 

 useless by the heavy rains, and the moisture of 

 the woods and thickets, and the soldiery were 

 consequently unable to return the fire of the 

 natives. For tents, the talipat leaves are set 

 up on end. . Two or three talipat umbrellas 

 thus employed make an excellent shelter, and 



