Quadrupeds of Ceylon. 299 
Varieties of deer and elks are every where met with in the 
woods and jungles. One species of deer is particularly calcu- 
lated to attract attention. It is a very small creature, in size 
not exceeding our hare ; it is called by the Dutch the moose- 
deer, and by the natives gazelle. In every thing but in size 
they are complete deer ; and their sides are beautifully spot- 
ted, or streaked like the fallow-deer. It is usual for the na- 
tives to catch them, and bring them down in cages to our 
markets, where they are sold at about a shilling apiece. Their 
flavour is much stronger than that of the hare, and when stewed 
they are excellent. 
Rabbits are not natives of Ceylon, and even if they were 
introduced, it is probable that they would soon be destroyed 
by the wild beasts and reptiles, which would every where 
assail them above ground, and even persecute them in their 
burrows. 
Hares, of exactly the same species with our common hares 
in Europe, abound in every quarter throughout the island, in 
greater numbers than I have ever seen elsewhere. About Co- 
lumbo one may easily shoot a dozen in a few hours. 
The wild hog is much more esteemed than the tame. The 
wild boars add much to the dangers of the Ceylonese forests; 
they are very large and fierce, and boldly attack those who 
fall in their way. The natives are particularly afraid of 
them, and think it an exploit of no small intrepidity to hunt 
them. 
The smaller species of tiger also infests the woods, but sel- 
dom ventures to attack a man. The larger kind, called the 
royal tiger, is not an inhabitant of the island, which is a cir- 
cumstance extremely fortunate for the natives, as from the 
QQ 2 
