Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/373

THE ISLAND OF CEYLON 315 here, the only one in the place; the living very cheap. There is little trade at this place, excepting on account of the Dutch Company. Topazes, amethysts, and other precious stones are found on the island of Ceylon and brought here for sale; but it is dangerous to purchase them, when set, without being skilled in those com- modities, the people who sell them being very expert TEMPLE OP THE HOLT TOOTH OF BUDDHA AT KANDY, CEYLON. in making, the false stones appear like true ones, by colouring them at the bottom. No kind of spice, nut- megs, or any other rarities for which this island is so celebrated, are to be met with at this place; nor 'did we, on our approach to the island, perceive any of those odoriferous gales described by travellers as exhaling from the cinnamon and other spices with which this island abounds. The harbour is circular; at the en- trance of it lie many rocks, just above the surface of the water, which make it very dangerous for strange ships to go in without a pilot; the waves beat with