106 ZOOlOGfY. 



Bears of a large black species are frequently met with ; 

 they appear harmless, though sufficiently fierce when wound- 

 ed, or otherwise roused. They are most common in the 

 early part of the monsoon, when they ascend in pursuit of a 

 large brown beetle, then very numerous ; they also feed on 

 roots, and the ground is often turned up by them to a con- 

 siderable extent. 



Under the head of Game, may be classed the following : 



Wild Hogs, at certain seasons, to be met with in plenty, 

 but neither so fat nor so well flavored as the sugar-cane hog 

 of the low country. 



The Samber or Elk, as it is universally called, though 

 belonging to the deer tribe. It is the Cervus AristoteHs, 

 or black Rusa of Cuvier, and attains a considerable size, 

 the antlers of a specimen now before me being three feet 

 long. It is a large, bulky animal, rather heavy to appear- 

 ance, but moves with considerable rapidity. The flesh is 

 coarse and tasteless, but the head makes excellent soup. 

 They are met with in considerable herds, and generally fre- 

 quent the larger woods ; when caught young, they are easi- 

 ly domesticated. The usual way of hunting them is, to beat 

 the woods with dogs or beaters, and the sportsmen being 

 posted at equal distances round the outskirts of the wood, 

 they are shot, when they break, to make their escape from the 

 dogs. They are very tenacious of life, and often carry off 8 

 or 10 balls, when not struck in a vital part. The skin is ex- 

 cessively tough and thick, and, when properly prepared, makes 

 excellent mocassims, or mud boots. 



The Bison is to be found near Kotergherry, and affords 

 excellent sport. 



A singular and rather rare animal is known under the name 

 of Jungle sheep, which is, however, a misnomer, as they are 



