[Footnote 2:  Mahawanso, ch. xv. p. 99, ch. xxx. p. 182.]

Leather.—­The tanning of leather from the hide of the buffalo was understood so far back as the second century before Christ, and “coverings both for the back and the feet of elephants” were then formed of it.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Ibid., ch. xxv. p. 152, ch. xxix. p. 169.]

Wood-carving.—­Carving in sandal-wood and inlaying with ivory, of which latter material “state fans and thrones” were constructed for the Brazen Palace[1], are amongst the mechanical arts often alluded to; and during the period of prosperity which signalised the era of the “Great Dynasty,” there can be little doubt that skilled artificers were brought from India to adorn the cities and palaces of Ceylon.

[Footnote 1:  Ibid., ch. xxvii. p. 163, 164.]

Chemical Arts.—­A rude knowledge of chemical manipulation was required for the extraction of camphor[1] and the preparation of numerous articles specified amongst the productions of the island, aromatic oils[2], perfumes[3], and vegetable dyes.

[Footnote 1:  Rajaratnacari, p. 133.  Dr. ROYLE doubts whether camphor was known to the Hindus at this early period, but “camphor oil” is repeatedly mentioned in the Singhalese chronicles amongst the articles provided for the temples.—­ROYLE’S Essay on Hindoo Medicine, p. 140; Rajaculi, p. 190.]

[Footnote 2:  Mahawanso, ch. xxv. p. 157.]

[Footnote 3:  B.C. 161. Mahawanso, ch. xxx. p. 180.]

Sugar.—­Sugar was obtained not only from the Palmyra and Kittool palms[1], but also from the cane; which, besides being a native of India, was also indigenous in Ceylon.[2] A “sugar mill” for expressing its juice existed in the first century before Christ in the district of the “Seven Corles,"[3] where fifteen hundred years afterwards a Dutch governor of the island made an attempt to restore the cultivation of sugar.

[Footnote 1:  “Palm sugar,” as distinguished from “cane sugar,” is spoken of in the Mahawanso in the second century B.C. ch. xxvii. p. 163.]

[Footnote 2:  “Cane sugar” is referred to in the Mahawanso B.C. 161, ch. xxvii. p. 162, ch. xxxi. p. 192.]

[Footnote 3:  A.D. 77. Mahawanso, ch. xxxiv. p. 208.]

Mineral Paints.—­Mineral preparations were made with success.  Red lead, orpiment, and vermilions are mentioned as pigments; but as it is doubtful whether Ceylon produces quicksilver, the latter was probably imported from.  China[1] or India, where the method of preparing it has long been known.