170 
MAMMALIA. 
[Chap. V. 
the murmuring hum of glittering insects, or the shrill 
clamour of the plum-headed parroquet and the- flute- 
like calls of the golden oriole. 
We crossed the broad sandy beds of two rivers over- 
arched by tall trees, the most conspicuous of which is 
the Kombook l , from the calcined bark of which the 
natives extract a species of lime to be used with their 
betel. And from the branches hung suspended over 
the water the gigantic pods of the huge puswael bean 2 , 
the sheath of which measures six feet long by five or six 
inches broad. 
On ascending the steep bank of the second stream, 
we found ourselves in front of the residences which had 
been extemporised for our party in the immediate 
vicinity of the corral. These cool and enjoyable struc- 
tures were formed of branches and thatched with palm 
leaves and fragrant lemon grass ; and in addition to a 
dining-room and suites of bedrooms fitted with tent 
furniture, they included kitchens, stables, and store- 
rooms, all run up by the natives in the course of a few 
days. 
In former times, the work connected with these 
elephant hunts was performed by the " forced labour " 
of the natives, as part of that feudal service which under 
the name of Eaja-kariya was extorted from the Sin- 
ghalese during the rule of their native sovereigns. This 
system was continued by the Portuguese and Dutch, and 
prevailed under the British Government till its abolition 
by the Earl of Eipon in 1832. Under it from fifteen 
hundred to two thousand men superintended by their 
headmen, used to be occupied, in constructing the 
1 Pentaptera paniculata. 2 Entada purscetha. 
