THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
311 
from its boring large holes in timber, of a regular form, 
and to the depth of several feet, in which when finished 
it takes up its habitation. 
Fish of every sort in great abundance are found in the 
lakes and rivers of Ceylon, as well as in the surrounding 
seas. Those found in the fresh water are much more 
remarkable for their vast numbers than their quality. 
The mullet however is very good, and perhaps the best of 
the fresh-water fish. None of the species, as far as I could 
learn, are peculiar to Ceylon ; but all common to the 
warm latitudes, though differing from the European. One 
circumstance has often struck me with astonishment, that 
in every pond or muddy pool, casually supplied with rain 
water, or even only recently formed, and entirely uncon- 
nected with any other water, swarms of fishes are con- 
tinually found. The only explanation which it appears 
possible to give of this phenomenon, is that the spawn is 
by some unknown process carried up with the rain into the 
skies, and then let down with it upon the earth in a con- 
dition immediately to become alive. 
Many excellent kinds of fish are caught all around the 
coasts of the island, and form a principal article both of 
the traffic and food of the natives. 
