THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
28 Q 
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 
Columbo 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 arc 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 tyger also infests the woods, but 
seldom ventures to attack a man. The larger kind, called 
the royal tyger, is not an inhabitant of the island, which is 
a circumstance extremely fortunate for the natives, as from 
the w r oody nature of the country, these ferocious animals 
would have every opportunity to commit their ravages with 
impunity on the human species. 
The tyger-cat, found here is about the size of a lap-dog, 
and presents both in shape and colour exactly the appearance 
indicated by its name. It is very wild and extremely diffi- 
P p 
