The island of Ceylon is called in the Samscred language _Lanca_, or _Langa_; also _Ilam_, or _Salàbbam_. The last word is compounded of _Sal_, true; and _Labham_, gain; consequently signifies the land which brings real gain. The island of Ceylon is undoubtedly worthy of this name, because a great many precious stones are found in it, and because pearls are fished up on its western coasts. The Samscred appellation _Salàbham_ seems to have given rise to the corrupted name _Salica_, as it is called by Ptolemy, from which has been formed Ceylon. According to M. De la Tour, it lies in the latitude of 9° 15′, and the longitude of 77° and 78°. Towards the west it borders closely on the coast of Pescaria; so that it is separated from it only by the narrow strait of _Manàr_, where there is the celebrated bridge of _Ràma_, called by the Europeans Adam’s bridge. This bridge extends so far into the sea, that people can pass, in a very small vessel, to the so-called _Rama’s Point_, on the coast of Pescaria. Not far from the above-mentioned bridge of Rama stands the celebrated temple of _Ramanacoil_, in which the younger Bacchus, and also the _Lingam_ or _Phallus_ of _Shiva_, or the elder Bacchus, are preserved. This bridge is still more remarkable, because it appears from the _Purana_, or ancient history of India, that Ceylon by its means was first peopled, as an Indian colony went to the island along that bridge, and introduced into it the Samscred language, together with the Indian manners and customs. The names of different places, such as _Moselpati_, _Jasnapatnam_, _Terlipati_, _Villapati_, _Moltupati_, _Malpati_, _Palliacur_, and those of various other cities and towns, evidently shew their Samscred origin; for _Pati_ signifies a town; _Patnam_, _Patana_, or _Patan_, a city; and _Ur_, an inhabited place. As the wind, from whatever quarter it comes, has free room to play around this island, the air is always pure and salubrious. This advantage, and the great richness of the country gave rise formerly to the fable that it was the place of Paradise, and that the inhabitants lived to the age of 200 or 300 years. The Indians have a tradition, that this island, in consequence of a dispute between the serpent _Vasughi_ and the god of the wind, was broken loose from the mountain _Meru_, the habitation of the gods, and hurled into the eastern sea, where it now lies. The Pagans believe, therefore, that this island is a part of Paradise; and this fable indeed, in ancient times, was conveyed from India to other parts of Asia. Another fable, which forms the subject of the poem called _Ràmayàna_, and which relates to this island also, has been mentioned before.