404 HECOLI.ECTIONS OF A JOUUNEY 
leaves of the coco-nut tree, the temperature was only 9^0". 
During all this day's journey, the road was extremely 
rocky and rugged. 
' Jp7il 1. — From Welle-malloo to Doonatihoo-oya, 7 J 
hours ; probable distance about 12 miles. 
We left Welle-malloo about half-past 6 a. m. From this 
station none of the native chiefs accompanied us. For 
about a mile and a half the pathway was very rugged ; 
stillj however, a track was evident. To this distance the 
r6ad had been opened, by cutting down the jungle which 
grew upon it. In many places the pathway became now 
so overgrown with succulent plants and jungle, that the 
guides found it often difficult to trace the route. Some- 
times we could not perceive an object before us above the 
distance of a few yards, so completely were we enveloped 
in thick jungle. This overgrown state of the pathway re-, 
larded our progress greatly. 
During the native government, it was customary for a 
number of the inhabitants of the interior of the island to 
go every year by this route on a pilgrimage to the Peak. 
The chiefs were particularly attentive to this act of devo- 
tion ; and as they always travelled with a great retinue, it 
was the business of part of their attendants to clear the 
pathway of the jungle and young trees. These pilgrimages 
have nearly ceased, since the English occupied the country. 
In the month of February 1817, two chiefs, with about 
two hundred followers, went from Kandy by this way to 
the Peak ; but since that period it was supposed not a hu-. 
man being had passed by this road. Hence the extremely 
overgrown condition of the pathway. 
During this day's journey there was a considerable de- 
gree of ascent in the road. The trees began to be covered 
with moss, or lichen, and to show other signs, that the 
