e high rate of salt by a
limited supply, which meets with immediate demand, rather than to
increase the supply for the public benefit at a reduced rate. This is
a mistaken mode of reasoning. At the present high price the
consumption of salt is extremely small, is its rise is restricted to
absolute necessaries. On the other hand, were the supply increased at
one half the present rate, the consumption would augment in a far
greater proportion, as salt would then be used for a variety of
purposes which at the present cost is impossible, viz. For the purpose
of cattle-feeding, manures, etc., etc. In addition to this, it would
vastly affect the price of salt fish (the staple article of native
consumption), and by the reduction in cost of this commodity there
would be a corresponding extension in the trade.

The hundreds of thousands of hides which are now thrown aside to rot
uncared for would then be preserved and exported, which at the present
rate of salt is impossible. The skins of buffaloes, oxen, deer, swine,
all valuable in other parts of the world, in Ceylon are valueless. The
wild buffalo is not even skinned when shot; he is simply opened for his
marrow-bones, his tail is cut off for soup, his brains taken out for
cotelettes, and his tongue salted. The beast himself, hide and all, is
left as food for the jackal. The wandering native picks up his horns,
which find their way to the English market; but the "hide," the only
really valuable portion, is neglected.

Within a short distance of the salt lakes, buffaloes, boars, and in
fact all kind of animals abound, and I have no doubt that if it were
once proved to the natives that the hides could be made remunerative,
they would soon learn the method of preparation.

Some persons have an idea that a native will not take the trouble to do
anything that would turn a penny; in this I do not agree. Certainly a
native has not sufficient courage for a speculation which involves the
risk of loss; but provided he is safe in that respect, he will take
unbounded trouble for his own benefit, not valuing his time or labor in
pursuit of his object.

I have noticed a great change in the native habits along the southern
coast which exemplifies this, since the steamers have touched regularly
at Galle.

Some years ago, elephants, buffaloes, etc., when shot by sportsmen,
remained untouched except by wild beast; but now within one hundred and
fifty miles of Galle every buffalo horn