CHAPTER VII. 



Capabilities of Ceylon — Deer at Illepecadewe — Sagacity 

 of a Pariah Dog — Two Deer at one Shot — Deer-stalk- 

 ing — Hambantotte Country — Kattregam Festival — 



SlTRAWELLE — RUINS OF ANCIENT MaHAGAM — WlHAREWELLE 



— 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 di- 

 versity in the scenery which refreshes the eye ; and 

 although the evergreen appearance might appear monot- 

 onous to some persons, still, were they residents, they 

 would observe that the color of the foliage is undergo- 

 ing 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 the frozen branches and deserts them. Every 

 shade of color is seen in the Ceylon forests, as the young 

 leaves are constantly replacing those which have fallen 

 without being missed. The deepest crimson, the 

 brightest 1 yellow and green of every shade, combine to 



128 



