1: [Greek: "topika ploia.">[—Periplus.
2: REINAUD, Mém. sur l'Inde, p. 124. and Introd. ABOULFEDA.
Amongst the objects, the introduction of which was eagerly encouraged in Ceylon, Cosmas particularises horses from Persia; the traders in which were exempted from the payment of customs. The most remarkable exports were elephants, which from their size and sagacity were found to be superior to those of India for purposes of war. Hence the renown accorded to Ceylon, as pre-eminently the birthplace of the Asiatic race of elephants.
[Greek: "Mêtera Taprobanên Asiêgeneôn elephantôn.">[ DIONYSIUS PERIEGETES, v. 593.
Cosmas observes upon the smallness of their tusks compared with those of Africa, and mentions the strange fact, that ivory was then exported from Ethiopia to India, as well as to Persia and the countries of Europe. He makes other allusions to Ceylon, but the passages extracted above, present the bulk of his information concerning the island.[1]
1: The above translation has been made from THEVENOT's version of Cosmas, which may differ slightly from that of MONTFAUCON, Collect. Nov. Patrum. Paris, 1706, vol. ii. p.
NOTE (A).
Knowledge of Ceylon possessed by the Phoenicians.