FROM It ANDY TO CALTUllA* 399 
tthere was a small military detachment at Gampoolk 
We slept in a temporary building, which had been con- 
structed for Mr Sawers' accommodation. Except the huts 
for the troops, there are no houses in Gampoola. Thd 
habitations of the natives were situated on the margin of 
the valley ; but being enveloped in thick topes or copses^ 
the houses could not be seen. 
March SO.^-^From Gampoola to Ambegamme, distance 
probably about 14 miles. 
We left Gampoola about 6 a. m., accompanied by all the 
drums and squeaking trumpets the district could affords 
The pathway lay very near to the margin of the Mah^ 
Villa Ganga, and skirted the hills which sloped to its left 
bank. At Pasbage, which is about half way to Ambe- ■ 
gamme, the Kotmale river is joined by the Pasbage river^ 
and these form the Maha Villa Ganga. The Kotmale 
river sometimes obtains the name of Maha Villa Gangsfc 
before the junction. Our route lay along the left bank of 
the Pasbage river. Near to Pasbage, we had a distant 
view of Adam's Peak ; it bore SSW. from us. The hills 
that we passed to-day were less densely covered with jungle 
than those which bounded our view yesterday. The ravines 
and hollows upon the declivities of the hills were in general 
thickly overgrown with trees and underwoodj but the ridges 
and lower swells were covered with tall lemon-grass. On 
many occasions it was difficult to account for the margin- 
ated and distinct patches of trees and jungle. In general^ 
the trees were most abundant where they seemed to have ^ 
chance of being well watered. The tops of the hills were 
more frequently covered with trees than the ridges lipoil 
the declivities. Perhaps this is owing to the summits of 
the mountains being more frequently in contact \^ith cloud^^ 
than the lower inequalities. 
