OF TUE OLD WORLD. 20.J 



the senses as the constant exertion of the different 

 faculties during a sojourn in the jungle ; quickness 

 of eye (an indispensable quality in a hunter) and 

 unceasing watchfulness are there attained ; habits 

 of observation are engendered, for anything out of 

 the common immediately attracts attention, and the 

 ear is habituated to catch the slightest sound. The 

 hunter should have a thorough knowledge of the 

 habits of the wild animals he seeks, bearing in 

 mind how suspicious they are, and how quickly 

 their attention is attracted by unusual noises, 

 strange traces in the jungle, or even the taint in 

 the air which the presence of man always leaves 

 behind it. The ranger of the forest experiences a 

 thorough feeling of independence and a freedom 

 from restraint in these wilds, that contrasts most 

 favourably with the desagrements of artificial exist- 

 ence, and few of those who are fitted to enjoy it 

 ever quit these scenes to return to civilised life 

 without deep feelings of regret that their unalloyed 

 pleasures are at an end ; and in after life the mur- 

 muring of waters and the sighings of the wind 

 through the trees will recall to mind moments of 

 intense interest, and they will ever feel at heart that 

 there is no music so sv/eet as the wild voices of the 

 woods. 



All forests are gloomy, but they have their com- 

 parative degrees of shade, and none present a 

 greater diversity of appearance than that round the 

 Neilgherries. The tall feathery bamboo contrasts 



