46 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II., PART I. 



All offerings of money to temples must be presented in a 

 betel leaf. On the fence of a betel garden, a chatty painted 

 black with white spots is frequently exposed, to scare away 

 evil spirits. This superstition is not confined to betel 

 plantations. 



Cardamoms. 



Cardamoms are not cultivated, but they are found in small 

 quantities in most situations in the jungles. They are most, 

 plentiful about Gilimale at the base of the mountains on 

 the road to Adam's Peak from Ratnapura. They are fre- 

 quently used green to chew instead of betel leaf. 



Talipot palm. 



These wonderful trees grow in great numbers about the 

 villages in Sabaragamuwa, and like the other trees which 

 from the beautiful groups about the houses, owe little to the 

 care of man. When jungle is cut for sowing fine grain they 

 are always left. Every native carries a strip of the leaf to 

 shelter him from the sun and rain. When dried and sewed 

 together, four pieces of leaves which may be carried by one 

 man make an excellent portable tent, when placed on sticks 

 cut from the neighbouring jungle. They are much used by 

 the drivers of bullock tavalams, when they stop for the 

 night ; the pack saddles are built into a square heap and 

 protected from the weather by talipots placed at the top. 

 Temple headmen and Ratemahatmayas when they travel are 

 always followed by talipot bearers ; the leaves for this 

 purpose are generally sewn at the edges and inlaid with talc 

 and colours. All kinds of temporary buildings are thatched 

 with talipots ; they are also used as a waterproof covering 

 for loads carried in baskets. It would be almost impossible 

 to describe the many uses to which they are applied by the 

 natives. 



