8 EXCURSION TO 
verandah, pleasantly situated on a little 
height, and distant from other houses. 
Fowls are so abundant here, that the full 
grown are sold for one janam, value three 
half-pence, and chickens six pice, or three 
farthings each. At a short distance from the 
rest-house we re-crossed the Cala-gunga, 
and after proceeding about a mile, we 
found the ascent begin in earnest. Hitherto 
we have had afew ups and downs; but 
upon the whole the country has been 
much upon a level, and the road might 
easily be made practicable for horses. 
Again crossing the river, which we have so 
long accompanied, we immediately com- 
menced a rugged ascent; the low jungle 
gave place to very fine forest trees; and 
the nature of the vegetation altogether 
changed. We saw here a great variety of 
superb Ferns, and many plants which we 
had not seen before, but few in flower. 
Between Kahia Poora and Gelle-malle, 
almost the only flower I saw, in any quan- 
tity, wasa pretty white Convolvulus, which 
covers many of the bushes, and even trees, 
hanging in beautiful festoons, loaded with 
blossom, from branch to branch. Likewise 
another species of the same genus, with 
purple flowers and less aspiring. habits, 
being content to run along the ground. 
We also found a pretty white-flowered 
Thunbergia. 'The remaining part of our 
day's journey was frequently rugged and 
steep, with occasional levels—the forest 
trees sometimes gave place to the Bamboo, 
ich, in one part of our route, had been 
recently burnt down, l suppose with a 
view to cultivation. At every opening the 
Bema Peak still presented itself, and 
continued clear until we were very near 
Palabatula, when thick clouds came rolling 
over the top and down the sides of the 
mountain. Ata quarter pastsix we reached 
our resting place for the night, having 
been exactly five hours and a half from 
Ratnapoora to Palabatula. The rest-house 
here is of the same description and dimen- 
sions as that at Gelle-malle, but not nearly 
orming, 
indeed, the narrow end of an oblong 
ADAM'S PEAK. 
quadrangle, of which a Boodhist temple 
constitutes one of the sides. In this tem- 
ple are kept the sacred implements be- 
longing to the temple on the top of Sree 
Pada, where they are sent during the 
time of pilgrimage ; which commences at 
the beginning of the Cingalese year, about 
the end of February, and continues for 
three months; when one or two priests re- 
side there, in a hut about fifty yards below 
the summit of the Peak. 
Feb. 1st.—Breakfasted at eight; took a ' 
sketch, and set off at ten; our route the 
whole way was a precipitous ascent up the 
bed of a torrent at present quite dry. In 
many places, my position in my little 
palankeen became exceedingly awkward 
and uncomfortable, my feet being higher 
than my head. I tried to persuade the 
bearers to turn the vehicle, and carry me 
backward; but this they considered un- 
lucky, and could not be prevailed on to 
do. My conveyance being very light and 
comparatively easily carried, I got far the 
start of Col. W., and my people had a 
long rest, waiting till he came up. Not- 
withstanding the difficulties of the road, 
they seem to enjoy themselves much 
on this journey; talking, laughing, and ` 
singing, even during the most laborious 
ascents, where, I should have thought all 
their breath necessary for the exertion 
they had to go through in climbing the 
mountain, and carrying me. Every time 
they visit the holy shrine on the top of the 
Peak, I believe, they consider a step to- 
wards heaven; and to be well paid at the* 
same time gives them considerable satis- 
faction. At an ambulam, (or shed with 
rude benches round it, where the pil 
may have a comfortable rest,) about half 
way, we stopped for some time, and from 
thence walked for half a mile, botanizing 
as we went, and finding at every step 
something quite new to us. We here be- 
gan to recognize plants of the same genus 
with many which are common in the 
C of Nervera Ellia, but of 
species: several species of Im- 
jens, two of them very curious, Scu- 
tellaria, the Rumboddé Milloo (Acan- 
