The Singalese have a curious tradition regarding the original discovery of the cocoa-nut tree, by a prince of the interior of the island of Ceylon. About half-a-mile from Belligam, (a fishing hamlet on the southern coast of Ceylon, situated between the towns of Point de Galle and Matura, in about 80° 20′ east longitude, and 5° 30′ north latitude,) completely concealed from view, whether approached by land or sea, by the density of the cocoa-nut groves, is a large rock of granite, to the left-hand on the road to Galle, which at that particular spot is completely overshadowed by umbrageous _Jack_,[101] _Kettule_,[102] and cocoa-nut trees, and which displays the gigantic representation of a former prince of the interior, called “Kottah Rajah,” to the attention of the traveller. The figure, about sixteen or eighteen feet in height, is sculptured in the solid rock; and, according to the Singalese tradition, the original discovery of the cocoa-nut tree is attributed to a vision, which first communicated to this highly-favoured rajah a knowledge of that principal of all vegetable productions, which omnipotent wisdom and munificence has so liberally bestowed upon the sable portion of mankind. A Singalese king, or sovereign prince, as the term “rajah” implies, of devout conduct and character, became suddenly afflicted with a cutaneous disease, which covered him with a white scaly substance from head to foot, to so great a degree as almost to deprive him of human appearance: so very rapidly did the loathsome distemper extend its malignant influence over the rajah’s person, that sacrifices were resorted to by his people, in the hope of thereby appeasing the anger of the supposed author of the rajah’s sufferings, the Maha Yaka, or great demon. The Kottah rajah (the _image_ itself is now so styled) objected to assist in person at any such diabolical sacrifices, and however prejudiced his people were in the belief of their eventual efficacy, he himself preferred humbly to submit to the decrees of that superior power from whom alone the Maha Yaka could have derived dominion, if he really possessed any, over the destinies of mankind. At this period, the cocoa-nut tree was not known in the interior of Ceylon; and to this day its scarcity is remarked by every traveller who visits the interior of the late Kandyan territory.