PART I.CHAP. II.CHAPTER I.
GEOLOGY.—MINERALOGY.—GEMS.
- I. General Aspect.
- Singular beauty of the island [3]
- Its ancient renown in consequence [4]
- Fable of its "perfumed winds" (note) [4]
- Character of the scenery [5]
- II. Geographical Position [6]
- Ancient views regarding it amongst the Hindus,—"the
Meridian of Lanka" [6]
- Buddhist traditions of former submersions (note)
[7]
- Errors as to the dimensions of Ceylon [8]
- Opinions of Onesicritus, Eratosthenes, Strabo, Pliny,
Ptolemy, Agathemerus [8,] [9]
- The Arabian geographers [9]
- Sumatra supposed to be Ceylon (note) [10]
- True latitude and longitude [11]
- General Eraser's map of Ceylon (note) [11]
- Geological formation [12]
- Adam's Bridge [13]
- Error of supposing Ceylon to be a detached fragment of
India [14]
- III. The Mountain System [14]
- Remarkable hills, Mihintala and Sigiri [15]
- Little evidence of volcanic action [16]
- Rocks, gneiss [16]
- Rock temples [17]
- Laterite or "Cabook" [17]
- Ancient name Tamba-panni (note) [17]
- Coral formation [19]
- Extraordinary wells [21]
- Darwin's theory of coral wells examined (note)
[22]
- The soil of Ceylon generally poor [24]
- "Patenas," their phenomena obscure [24]
- Rice lands between the hills [26]
- Soil of the plains, "Talawas" [27]
- IV. Metals.—Tin [29]
- V. Minerals.—Anthracite, plumbago, kaolin, nitre
caves [31]
- List of Ceylon minerals (note) [32]
- VI. Gems, ancient fame of [32]
- Rose-coloured quartz (note) [33]
- Mode of searching for gems [34]
- Rubies [34]
- Sapphire, topaz, garnet, and cinnamon stone, cat's-eye,
amethyst, moonstone [37], [38]
- Diamond not found in Ceylon (note) [38]
- Gem-finders and lapidaries [39]
- VII. Rivers.—Their character [40]
- The Mahawelli-ganga [41]
- Table of the rivers [41]
- VIII. Singular coast formation, and its causes [43]
- The currents and their influence [44]
- Word "Gobb" explained (note) [46]
- Vegetation of the sand formations [48]
- Their suitability for the coconut [51]
- IX. Harbours.—Galle and Trincomalie [52]