returned to Kandy at an excellent pace, tlie road
with few exceptions being down hill.
On my arrival I noticed a great commotion under
the verandah; a native had brought for sale an
armadillo, which he had caught in the jungle, and
there was a lively competition going on for its
acquisition; some gentlemen wanted to buy the
a n im a l to take it away alive; whilst others desired
it for the purpose of killing and roasting. The latter
succeeded in obtaining it, and I had my share in
devouring the poor brute, which proved very good
eating, although he is not always a very clean feeder.
The principal object of my visit to the interior of
Ceylon, namely, the inspection of the Buddhist remains
of Anarajapore, I had left to the last as a bonne bouche;
also as it was advisable to allow the sun to counteract
the effects of recent heavy showers; the jungle in
those regions being considered exceedingly pernicious,
indeed I was warned that a night passed there was
almost certain to bring on fever. When everything
was ready for a start, and a light bullock cart at the
door ready laden with my traps and provisions, a
party happened to arrive at the hotel who had just
returned from the very district I was bound for,
and he assured me that I should find it utterly
impossible to get beyond a certain distance, the