128 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, 
shooting parties resort to it, and the commander’s hospitality 
is often called forth. Occasional passengers also find good ac- 
commodation provided for them, as government has furnished 
the commanding officer with an excellent house, and also gives 
him a monthly allowance for keeping open table. The methods 
employed in hunting the deer and wild hog, are similar to 
those still employed in the highlands of Scotland by parties 
hunting the great wild deer in the few extensive forests that 
yet remain. As the country around Caltura, where the game 
is found, is covered 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 encompassed a large space of ground. They then 
extend themselves so as to form a wide semi-circle, and in 
this order approach 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 may lie concealed in the thickets. 
The animals finding themselves beset in their haunts, naturally 
endeavour to make their escape across the valley to some 
other hill or wood in the neighbourhood ; but no sooner have 
they cleared the openings, than they 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 which the na- 
tives shew in this species of hunting, and the celerity with 
