THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
306 
subject to the attacks of these leeches. Horses in particular, 
from their excessive plunging and kicking to get rid of these 
creatures when they fasten upon them, render it very unsafe 
for any one to ride through the woods of the interior. 
A species of flying lizard is found here, furnished with 
membranes extending along its sides in the form of wings, 
with which it is enabled to take its flight from tree to tree. 
It is not above nine inches long, and is perfectly harmless, 
although it is the only animal known which resembles the 
fabled . dragon. 
The insects of Ceylon are extremely numerous. There 
are several species of spiders found, of uncommon size, and 
poisonous. Flies, beetles, butterflies, muskettoes, cock- 
roaches, with almost every insect known in Europe, are here 
found, of curious shapes, and ornamented with a variety of 
colours. Ground-lice and ticks plague the dogs to such a 
degree as almost makes them mad. 
Ants, which are here found of every species, were another 
pest, in addition to the leeches which we had to en- 
counter in our journey through the woods of Candy ; and 
our clothes and furniture suffered extremely from these 
vermin. The large red ants, which live on trees, and build 
their nests among the branches, bite very severely ; and one 
in passing among the trees requires to be very cautious of 
approaching their habitations, or lie will speedily be made 
to feel the effects of his inadvertency. There are also other 
varieties of black and red ants of a smaller size, which inhabit 
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