S98 
Quadrupeds of Ceylon. 
der foot ; and after this is accomplished, they get down on 
their knees and endeavour to bring their horns into such a po- 
sition as to gore their victim. It is always dangerous to meet 
with these animals, particularly for an European, to whose 
complexion or dress they have the greatest antipathy. A scar- 
let coat is the chief object of their resentment, and renders 
them perfectly outrageous. This unaccountable aversion to 
red is extremely vexatious to military men. I have myself 
frequently experienced it, and been obliged to escape as fast as 
I could from their fury : at one time 1 was saved only by the 
spirit of my horse. Their fierceness surpasses that of almost 
any wild beast, as it can never be totally subdued either by 
gentle usage, or the sense of fear. 
The buffalo is of a dirty grey or mouse colour ; the hairs, 
or rather bristles, are thinly scattered over his thick coarse 
skin. The flesh and milk, though sometimes used, are very 
rank and disagreeable. These animals are very dirtily inclined, 
and are constantly to be seen hke hogs wallowing up to the 
neck in mud and water. 
The markets of Ceylon are well supplied with pigs, and 
they can be always had at very reasonable prices ; the smaller 
ones at about five shillings, and even the largest never sell for 
more than ten. The pigs here are usually about the size of our 
small greyish ones. 
Few parts of India produce a greater variety of wild animals 
than Ceylon; and its forests are rendered extremely danger- 
ous by beasts of pray and noxious reptiles of various sizes. 
Many wild animals are also offered to the use of man ; and 
afford subsistence to the tribes who, like them, range the fo- 
rests,. 
