[Footnote 1:  A very interesting account of Gems and Gem Searching, by Mr. WM. STEWART, appeared in the Colombo Observer for June, 1855.]

It is strongly characteristic of the want of energy in the Singhalese, that although for centuries those alluvial plains and watercourses have been searched without ceasing, no attempt appears to have been made to explore the rocks themselves, in the debris of which the gems have been brought down by the rivers.  Dr. Gygax says:  “I found at Hima Pohura, on the south-eastern decline of the Pettigalle-Kanda, about the middle of the descent, a stratum of grey granite containing, with iron pyrites and molybdena, innumerable rubies from one-tenth to a fourth of an inch in diameter, and of a fine rose colour, but split and falling to powder.  It is not an isolated bed of minerals, but a regular stratum extending probably to the same depth and distance as the other granite formations.  I followed it as far as was practicable for close examination, but everywhere in the lower part of the valley I found it so decomposed that the hammer sunk in the rock, and even bamboos were growing on it.  On the higher ground near some small round hills which intercept it, I found the rubies changed into brown corundum.  Upon the hills themselves the trace was lost, and instead of a stratum there was merely a wild chaos of blocks of yellow granite.  I carefully examined all the minerals which this stratum contains,—­felspar, mica, and quartz molybdena, and iron pyrites,—­and I found all similar to those I had previously got adhering to rough rubies offered for sale at Colombo. I firmly believe that in such strata the rubies of Ceylon are originally found, and that those in the white and blue clay at Ballangodde and Ratnapoora are but secondary deposits.  I am further inclined to believe that these extend over the whole island, although often intercepted and changed in their direction by the rising of the yellow granite.”  It is highly probable that the finest rubies are to be found in them, perfect and unchanged by decomposition; and that they are to be obtained by opening a regular mine in the rock like the ruby mine of Badakshan in Bactria described by Sir Alexander Burnes.  Dr. Gygax adds that having often received the minerals of this stratum with the crystals perfect, he has reason to believe that places are known to the natives where such mines might be opened with confidence of success.

Rubies both crystalline and amorphous are also found in a particular stratum of dolomite at Bullatotte and Badulla, in which there is a peculiar copper-coloured mica with metallic lustre. Star rubies, the “asteria” of Pliny (so called from their containing a movable six-rayed star), are to be had at Ratnapoora and for very trifling sums.  The blue tinge which detracts from the value of the pure ruby, whose colour should resemble “pigeon’s blood,” is removed by the Singhalese, by enveloping the stone in the lime of a calcined shell and exposing it to a high heat. Spinel of extremely beautiful colours is found in the bed of the Mahawelli-ganga at Kandy, and from the locality it has obtained the name of Candite.