CEYLON. 
313 
us that they would no longer attract the clouds in an equal degree, 
whence a scarcity might ultimately ensue. The vallies, and more 
especially the banks of the rivers, should be freed from the close 
brush wood. It is under the branches of these shrubs, which again 
throw out roots in every direction, that the fatal jungle-fever is 
probably generated. Not a breath of air can pass through; and the 
confined exhalations from the black vegetable mud, loaded with 
putrid effluvia of all kinds, must acquire a highly deleterious quality, 
affecting both the air and water. In the Isle of France the banks of 
the rivers were no sooner cleared of their shade, than the water be- 
came wholesome. The cocoa-nut tree, when close planted, seems to 
prevent the growth of underwood ; might it not be employed for 
this purpose on the banks of rivers? If all shelter were removed, 
even in the lowlands, the ground crops might be injured by too 
much opening them to the sun and wind, and the effects, even on 
the fruit trees, might be unfavourable. But tall trees would protect, 
without stopping the circulation of air. Clumps of them, and hedge- 
rows, ought to be planted when the jungle and underwood are 
cleared. Fire cannot be employed to destroy the cover in Ceylon, 
as the trees are never sufficiently dry : this is perhaps a fortunate 
circumstance, since the effects of fire cannot be restrained, and the 
fine cabinet woods of Ceylon are worth preserving. 
I cannot conclude this chapter, without a testimony to the merit 
of Mr. North's administration. His mild and benignant character, 
and conciliatory policy, were essentially beneficial in reconciling 
the minds of the natives to the British Government, after the mon- 
strous conduct of those who ruled in the island when it was under 
the control of the Presidency of Madras, The civil servants, who 
