Description of the Country around Colwnbo. 149 
the comitiy arouod Caltura, where the game is found, is co- 
vered with extremely close underwood, a number of the native 
peasants are assembled and sent into the woods and jungles, by 
the several paths and openings, till they have completely en- 
compassed a large space of ground. They then extend them- 
selves so as to form a wide semicircle, and in this order ap- 
proach the place where the sportsmen are stationed at the skirts 
of the wood ; at the same time making a loud noise to rouse the 
game that ma)^ lie concealed in the thickets. The animals hnd- ' 
ing themselves beset in their haunts, naturally endeavour to 
make their escape across the valley to some other hill or wood 
in tlie neighbourhood ; but no sooner have they cleared the 
openings, than tliey find themselves assailed by the sportsmen 
who have carefully secured every passage ; and have stationed 
themselves and their Cinglese marksmen at short distances from 
each other, all provided with fowling-pieces for the occasion. The 
dexterity v/hich the natives shew in this species of Imnting, and 
the celerity with which they make their way through under- 
wood and bushes, that appear impenetrable, is very sur- 
prising. ^14 f 
Certain native manufactures are carried on to a considerable 
extent around Caltura. A great quantity of arrack in par- 
ticular is made from the moves of cocoa-trees, which extend 
several miles in every direction, and from Columbo to Caltura, 
and several miles beyond it, form one continued grove. There 
is also a large plantation of sugar canes here, and a distillery 
of rum carried on by some Dutchmen who reside in the village 
and neighbourhood. It is however very much inferior in qua- 
lity to the West India rum. 
Six miles onward from Caltura lies Barbareen, a sraaii village. 
