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 *, 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 Pentajotera paniculata. 



2 Entada purscstha. 



