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.

Uniformity of temperature
Brilliancy of foliage
Colombo.—­January—­long shore wind
February—­cold nights (note)
March, April
May—­S.W. monsoon
  Aspect of the country before it
  Lightning
  Rain, its violence
June
July and August, September, October,
    November.  N.E. monsoon
December
Annual quantity of rain in Ceylon and Hindustan (note)
Opposite climates of the same mountain
Climate of Galle
Kandy and its climate
  Mists and hail
Climate of Trincomalie (text and note)
Jaffna and its climate
Waterspouts
Anthelia
Buddha rays
Ceylon as a sanatarium.—­Neuera-ellia
  Health
  Malaria
  Food and wine 76,
  Effects of the climate of Ceylon on disease
  Precautions for health