THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
2 SO 
they v ill bear in this manner, even under the fatiguing heat 
of noon. Though they may find considerable difficulty in 
lifting the load at first, yet when once set agoing, they will 
travel at the rate of four or five miles for a whole day • 
The spring in the pieces of bamboe, by yielding to their 
motions, greatly facilitates the carriage of the burthen. 
When the roads will admit of it, and the loads are too 
heavy for the coolies, the bullocks are employed to draw 
them in carts of a particular construction, known on the 
island by the name of bandies. These vehicles are very 
long, narrow, and clumsy. The body of the bandy rests on a 
strong beam, which projects like the pole of a carriage. To 
the extreme end of this pole a piece of wood, about six feet 
long, and very thick, is attached crosswise. Under it are 
hoops fixed for the necks of the cattle, which are kept fast 
by pegs. By this means the whole weight of the load rests 
on the neck and shoulders of the oxen, while they drag the 
cart along. The sides of the cart are composed of thin 
boards, of the skins of buffaloes, or split bamboes ; while a 
strong post of wood is placed at each of the four corners to 
give it a shape and hold these firm. The bottom is either of 
boards, or interwoven bamboes: the axle-tree and wheels re- 
semble those of the Irish truckles, or cars, being blocks of 
wood rounded. 
Buffaloes, being much larger and stronger than the oxen, 
are much more frequently employed in drawing burthens. 
These animals are found in great numbers on the island.,. 
