AND THE MALAY STATES 
13 
Mv first task after I was comfortably settled at the Galle Face was 
to buy a sun helmet, or topee , which I was lucky enough to find in one 
of the native stores that occupy the ground floor of the hotel. There 
are two dangers against which visitors to this part of the world must 
guard most carefully ; one is exposure to the sun, and the other a sudden 
chill. In no part of the world, if reports are true, is the sun so deadly as 
here, but the danger may be reduced to a minimum if one will but listen 
to the advice of the older residents, and take reasonable precautions. A 
pith sun helmet is indispensable, as straw or felt hats are sources of 
STREET SCENE IN COLOMBO. 
danger, and a cap is worst of all. In addition, one should at first carry 
an umbrella as well. Nor is the danger present only at midday, or when 
there are no clouds. It is practically as bad at seven in the morning, or 
when the sky is wholly covered with clouds. The habits of the dwellers 
here — that is, the Europeans, speak of this danger. Men and women 
wear sun helmets and carry sun umbrellas, while broad verandahs and 
close lattices guard the houses. Even the railway carriages have, in 
addition to curtains, visor-like projections to keep out the searching rays 
