134 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



one of their nests in the floor, and gradually 

 worked their way through the coir matting, to a 

 place that was covered with a strip of grass 

 matting. However, a good dose of oil 

 has for the time put them to flight. Yester- 

 day, I saw a wonderful example of the work of 

 white ants. For some time hollows and holes 

 had appeared in one of the roads. On investi- 

 gation Rob found that a huge colony of white 

 ants had completely undermined the road. 

 When the surface was removed it left a cavity 

 twelve feet by ten feet. This had to be filled 

 with large stones to prevent their returning, as 

 doubtless they will try to do. 



I am much struck by the seasons in Ceylon 

 apparently repeating themselves twice in the 

 year. The identical trees which flowered last 

 January are now blossoming again in July, the 

 birds are pairing for the second time, and every- 

 thing gives one the impression of a second 

 Spring. 



I have just seen the most beautiful tree I 

 have ever had the good luck to meet with. It is 

 called by Europeans M The Ceylon Laburnum," 

 and by the natives " Connoopoo." It bears a 

 striking likeness to Laburnum in form of 

 growth, in colour and in leaf, but the flowers 

 instead of being shaped like a pea, resemble a 

 large buttercup with very long stamens, and 

 the sprays of blossom are very much longer. 



