Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 13552-h.htm or 13552-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/5/5/13552/13552-h/13552-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/5/5/13552/13552-h.zip) CEYLON; AN ACCOUNT OF THE ISLAND PHYSICAL, HISTORICAL, AND TOPOGRAPHICAL WITH NOTICES OF ITS NATURAL HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES AND PRODUCTIONS by SIR JAMES EMERSON TENNENT, K.C.S. LL.D. &c. Illustrated by Maps, Plans and Drawings Fourth Edition, Thoroughly Revised VOLUME I LONDON 1860 [Illustration: Frontispiece for Vol I NOOSING WILD ELEPHANTS--Vol 2 p 359 368 &c] CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME PART I. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. CHAPTER I. GEOLOGY.--MINERALOGY.--GEMS. I. General Aspect. Singular beauty of the island Its ancient renown in consequence Fable of its "perfumed winds" (note) Character of the scenery II. Geographical Position Ancient views regarding it amongst the Hindus,--"the Meridian of Lanka" Buddhist traditions of former submersions (note) Errors as to the dimensions of Ceylon Opinions of Onesicritus, Eratosthenes, Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy, Agathemerus 8, The Arabian geographers Sumatra supposed to be Ceylon (note) True latitude and longitude General Eraser's map of Ceylon (note) Geological formation Adam's Bridge Error of supposing Ceylon to be a detached fragment of India III. The Mountain System Remarkable hills, Mihintala and Sigiri Little evidence of volcanic action Rocks, gneiss Rock temples Laterite or "Cabook" Ancient name Tamba-panni (note) Coral formation Extraordinary wells Darwin's theory of coral wells examined (note) The soil of Ceylon generally poor "Patenas," their phenomena obscure Rice lands between the hills Soil of the plains, "Talawas" IV. Metals.--Tin Gold, nickel, cobalt Quicksilver (note) Iron V. Minerals.--Anthracite, plumbago, kaolin, nitre caves List of Ceylon minerals (note) VI. Gems, ancient fame of Rose-coloured quartz (note) Mode of searching for gems Rubies Sapphire, topaz, garnet, and cinnamon stone, cat's-eye, amethyst, moonstone 37, Diamond not found in Ceylon (note) Gem-finders and lapidaries VII. Rivers.--Their character The Mahawelli-ganga Table of the rivers VIII. Singular coast formation, and its causes The currents and their influence Word "Gobb" explained (note) Vegetation of the sand formations Their suitability for the coconut IX. Harbours.--Galle and Trincomalie Tides Red infusoria Population of Ceylon CHAP. II. CLIMATE.--HEALTH AND DISEASE.