40 THE SPORTS AND CxAMES OF THE SINGHALESE. 



The Natchambowe or Pea-shooter may be said to be 

 a very ancient Singhalese toy, and considering the uni- 

 versality of the Bamboo throughout the Island, it could 

 hardly fail to suggest the idea of the pea-shooter, A 

 straight joint of bamboo and clay pellets complete the 

 ■a pa rat us. 



The Epele iowahkowe or Pop -gun also no doubt sug-? 

 gested by the bamboo, is also a very ancient and very com- 

 mon toy. A joint of bamboo eight or ten inches long, has 

 a rammer, shorter by the size of one pellet, with a handle 

 fixed to it. The pellet used is the fruit of the epela or kirilhi 

 tree or the flower of the Jamboo, The pellets should fit 

 the bore tight, to make a loud pop. 



Roongpetta, answering in every respect to the English 

 ei Cut water/' is made out of the flat circular piece of cocoa^ 

 nut shell with its edge notched like a saw, and two small 

 holes about an inch part in the middle. A string is passed 

 through these holes and the two ends tied together, and ta 

 set in motion, the double string has to be alternately pulled 

 and slackened. 



The Bow of which several varieties are known to the 

 Singhalese though it once held a high place in the Royal 

 armoury, now only takes rank with the toys. The Gal- 

 donne, from which small pebbles or pellets of dried clay 

 are shot is the favourite, It is made of some tough elastic 

 wood and has a double string passing over two small cross, 

 pieces let into the ends. At the middle of the strings there 

 is a small lacing of cords ini which the pebble or pellet 

 is placed. The bow is held in the left hand, and the string 

 with the pellet pulled back with the right with a slight side 

 twist to prevent the pellet when shot, catching the bow or- 



