20 
WILLIS: CEYLON AS A 
(sheets, towels, &c.) with him. Hotel, resthouse, and bunga- 
low servants speak English, so that there is rarely any need 
for a personal servant, unless perhaps when travelling in out- 
of-the-way districts. Travelling expenses are moderate ; 
the most interesting regions in the Island, except the north, 
may be reached by rail, and aline to the northern extremity 
is now being made. Coaches run on the principal routes 
not served by rail, and the roads are excellent for bicycling, 
so that it is easy to travel by this method, sending heavy 
luggage in advance by coach. Steamers run round the Island 
weekly calling at Galle, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, 
Point Pedro, Jaffna, Paumben, and Colombo. 
The best time, in general, to leave Europe for Ceylon 
is September, but, except for a somewhat hot three days in 
the Red Sea, July or August is equally good. The stay in 
Ceylon may last till March or April. April is a hot month 
here, and after the middle of May the weather in the Indian 
Ocean is usually very rough till the end of July. June and 
July are wet but cool months at Peradeniya, and the weather 
does not become at all unpleasantly warm till March or 
April. The hotter weather may be easily avoided by going 
“ up-country ” to work at Hakgala or elsewhere in the 
mountains. There is, however, no reason for fearing the 
heat at Peradeniya ; the temperature in the laboratory never 
exceeds 84° F., and is usually between 75° and 80° (24-27° C)in 
the middle of the day. Working hours are usually arranged 
to suit the climate. A light “ early tea” at 6 or 6.30 A.M. is 
followed by a walk in the garden, or collecting, and work in 
the herbarium or laboratory from 7.30 or 8 till 11, when 
breakfast is taken. Work may be resumed at 1 and continued 
till 5 or after. There is no afternoon sleep in Ceylon as in 
the Dutch colonies. Exercise (tennis, cycling, &c.) is usually 
taken early in the morning or after 4.30 Dinner is usually 
about 7.30. There is a good English Club in Kandy, and 
also tennis and sports clubs, where cricket, football, golf, &c., 
may be obtained. 
