District of Chilaiv and Putlam. 



47 



eighteen or twenty feet, and formidable to men and cattle, the 

 other seldom exceeding eight or ten feet, and perfectly harmless 

 when uninjured. Both are naturally timid and fear the face of 

 man. Numerous species of smaller Lizards are found : that 

 commonly known under the name of Iguana is used as food, 

 and its skin is converted into shoes. It is hunted with dogs 

 trained for that purpose. 



The forests contain numerous and beautiful Birds and 

 Insects, many yet undescribed ; but of these for reasons 

 already given, it would be premature to say any thing at 

 present. 



It may be mentioned here that at Kalputty (or Calpentyn 

 as it is often written) a considerable quantity of biche da mare 

 is annually prepared and sent to J affna for exportation to the 

 Malay Peninsula and China. 



It consists simply of the dried bodies of a species of 

 Holothuria (sea cucumber), which is found in large quantities 

 along the oozy shores of the Gulf. They are picked up at ebb 

 tide ; when taken into the hand the muscular contraction of 

 the thick leathery integument is so strong, that a great portion 

 of the viscera is frequently forcibly protruded ; if this does 

 not occur, the animals are opened, and after embowelling 

 boiled for a couple of hours till quite soft, and then dried on 

 the beach if the weather is favourable; under other circum- 

 stances in close huts by means of fires. The price on the spot 

 is about 3s. 9d. per 1000, and this quantity can easily be 

 collected by two men during one ebb tide. 



Pearl and Chank Fisheries. 



Pearl banks exist along the coast from Chilaw to Kahradive 

 Island, but many years have elapsed since they were fished. 



Chanks are still in considerable demand ; they are exported 

 to the Continent, where they are sawn up and converted into 

 beads, bracelets, and other ornaments, As a branch of revenue 

 this has, however, almost entirely ceased to exist. 



