No. 6.-— 1853.] DISTRICT OF CHILAW AND PUTTALAM. 53 



continue. It is only on very rare occasions that cattle are 

 killed for food ; the hides are invariably thrown away; and, in 

 short, in a District abounding in pasture land, dairies, are 

 unknown, milk and butter are rarities, and scarcely any 

 benefit is derived from the existence of cows, buffaloes, or 

 sheep. A large proportion of the natives along the coast 

 being Muhammadans, pigs are only to be met with in two 

 or three of the larger villages. An English breed has 

 lately been introduced, thrives well, and is being gradually 

 disseminated. 



During the last few years the amount of stock has been very 

 greatly diminished by murrain ; in many places three-fourths 

 of the animals have died. Jt is highly desirable that the 

 natives should receive some simple instructions as to the 

 method of treatment in such cases ; hitherto charms alone 

 have been applied, and the consequent loss to the country 

 has been very great indeed. 



Wild Animals. 



It is only within a recent period that attention has, so far 

 as I am aware, been paid to the zoology of the District. I am 

 therefore not prepared to enter into any details at present. So 

 far as the better known and large animals are concerned, this 

 may be mentioned : — 



Elephants are abundant everywhere, and cause considerable 

 injury to the cultivated lands. Accidents to human beings are 

 however extremely rare. The jungle hear and the two species 

 of leopard (commonly but falsely termed by Europeans, chetah 

 or tiger) are common ; the black variety is occasionally met 

 with. Wild hogs are abundant, and frequently commit great 

 ravages in young cocoanut and plantain gardens, as do the 

 porcupines. Herds of deer are to be seen grazing in the plains 

 or trooping through the forest glades ; there are four species, 

 if the musk deer be included. Jackals abound everywhere ; the 



Or 



