promptly discharged the contents of his fowling piece down her throat.* On finding however that no Crocodile appeared, our confidence returned; and at length one of our number ventured to approach near enough to remove the top of the nest, and to take away the eggs, of which he procured twenty-five.

On my expressing astonishment at the pacific conduct of the parent Crocodile, and suggesting that it was probably absent in pursuit of food, the natives who were with us expressed their con. viction, that it was at that moment in the trench; but that it was of a different caste from the first. Further enquiries have satisfied me that this belief in the existence of two different species, or, as the natives call them, castes, of Crocodiles is universal in the country; and Dr. J. Anderson, of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, informs me that a similar belief prevails in Bengal respecting the Mugger, which closely resembles the Crocodile of Ceylon, if it be not identical with it. One caste is said to confine itself to a fish diet, while the other attacks human beings.

The former, called by the Sinhalese Elle Kimbola, or Grey Crocodile, grows to a larger size than the more savage species, and is said to be that which is found about Kornegalle. As I have two thriving specimens, hatched from the eggs of the Crocodile which attacked Mr. Symonds, and am promised one of the progeny of that which submitted so quietly to the plundering of its nest in my presence, I hope that I shall be able to ascertain, by the aid of some eminent English Naturalist, whether they belong to the same or to two different species. At present they present no difference in appearance that an unscientific eye can detect.

I may mention that there is some difficulty in bringing up young Crocodiles by hand, as they obstinately refuse every kind of food that I have ever presented to them. One, which was brought to me some years ago, died of inanition, although, for a week or ten days that it was in my possession, I constantly tempted it with

This shot was not, however, fatal; for Mr. Symonds was subsequently charged twice by, as he believes, the same crocodile.

both flesh and fish. Those which I now have I feed by forcing bits of raw meat down their throats with a stick, two or three times a week. Under this treatment, they seem to thrive, having about doubled in size since they left the egg; but the operation is not a pleasant one, and requires some dexterity, as their teeth are exceedingly sharp, and they lose no opportunity of turning upon the hand that feeds them.

Native Medicinal Oils.

The processes, by which all Medicinal oils are prepared, would seem to be almost the same, except in the case of a few.

The general process followed in these preparations, is this:The drugs prescribed for the first decoction, being cut up and pounded together, are put into a vessel (earthen or copper) with well-water four times the weight of the drugs; the whole is then gauged by means of a piece of stick, on which accordingly a mark is put to denote the quantity, and three times as much water is again added. This is boiled down to a quarter of the whole or until it is reduced to the mark. The boiling must go on very slowly, continuing for seven days. Sometimes the juices of certain plants are substituted for this docoction.

This first decoction being then strained is put into a vessel, generally copper, with oil (Sessamum or other as the case may be) equal to a quarter of it in weight, and is next boiled with a medical composition, called "Kalke," compounded of a number of medicinal drugs well ground together, which kalke itself must, in weight, be equal to a quarter of the oil. The boiling of this, which may be called the second decoction, is continued for nearly five days more, except where juices are used instead of the first decoction, in which case, the boiling should not exceed three days. When the Kalke assumes the consistency of Bees' wax, the vessel is taken off the fire, and the liquid being then well strained, becomes the Medicinal Oil.

OILS. No. 1.-Sidharte Tiele.

FIRST DECOCTION.

Bely-Egle marmelos, Corr.

Middy-Premna serratifolia, Linn.

Totilla-Calosanthes indica, Blume.

Palol-Spathodea adenophylla, D C.
Etdemata-Gmelina Rheedei, Hook.

Aswenna-Alysicarpus vaginalis, D C.

Polpala-Erva lanata, Juss.

Endero-Ricinis communis, Linn.
Batu-Solanum Indicum, Linn.

Bewille-Sida species.

Take the roots of these in equal quantities, add them together, and the roots of Satavaria, Asparagus racemosus.

Pound them well and put all in a vessel with four times their Put a mark, and then add three times the same

weight of water.

quantity of water.

Boil down the whole to a quarter.

SECOND DECOCTION.

Strain and put this first decoction into a clean vessel, with Sessamum oil and cow's milk, each equal to a quarter of it in weight. Then add Kalke composed of the following ingredients, by grinding them together with cold water.

Satepuspe-Anethum sowa seed.
Wadekaha-Acorus calamus.

Inguru-Ginger.

Savindelunu-Rock salt.

Maha Arathe-Alpinia Galanga Linn.

Sulu Arathe-?

Ensaal-Cardamoms.

Dewedaare-Pinus Deodar.

Sandoon-Sandal.

Kottan-Aucklandia Costus, Falk.

Galmade-Talc.

Amukkera-Withania somnifera, Dun.

Meretemiris-Pepper.

Jatamanse-Nardostachys Jatamansi, D C.

Welmadete-Rubia cordifolia.

These should be taken in equal quantities, and when added together, the whole must be equal, in weight, to a quarter of the oil

taken. All this must be boiled until the water is completely exhausted, and the Kalke assumes the consistency of Bee's wax. Then strain the oil.

VIRTUES.

In all cases of pain in the sides, &c., Rheumatic or otherwise, the oil may be rubbed over the parts affected; if the ailment be severe, a table spoonful to be internally applied,--immediate relief is certain. Females far advanced in pregnancy may safely drink this oil in cases of pain in the chest and abdomen. This is also good for diseases in the ear and head, seven or eight drops may be applied to the ear and a little rubbed on the head. This oil is of a cold temperament, and is specially adapted for persons who suffer from excessive heat in the system.

It

may be safely used in cases of illness among children.

No. 2.-Yaamedewe Kase Tiele.

Make the First decoction of the following drugs by boiling them in the manner prescribed.

Roots of Wara-Calatropis gigantea, R. Br.

Navehandy -Euphorbia Tirucalli, Linn.

Karande-Pongamia glabra, Vent.

Totile-Calosanthes Indica, Blume.

Waila-Gynandropsis pentaphylla, D. C.

Patuk-Euphorbia nereifolia, Linn.

Yakevanasse--Anisomeles ovata, R. Br.

Yakberiye-Crotalaria laburnifolia, Linn.

Welrukattene-Cryptolepis Buchanani, Rom. et Sch.

Kurundo-Cinnamon.

Lonuvarene-Cratova Roxburghii, R. Br.

Saksande-Aristolochia Indica, Linn.

Batu-Solanum Indicum, Linn.

Ratnetul-Plumbago rosea, Linn.

Tombe-Leucas zeylanica, R. Br.

Kariville-Momordica Charantia, Linn.

Madarutala-Ocimum canum, Linn.