Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/227

 CEYLON 219 the Atlantic, such as the Loire, the Allier, the Lot, &c. The Herault and the Gard, which run in an opposite direction to the Mediter- ranean and the Rh6ne respectively, are but short streams. CeVennes was also formerly the name of a French province, which formed the N. E. part of Languedoc, and was divided into G6vaudan, Velay, Vivarais, and Cevennes proper, the respective chief towns of which were Mende, Le Puy, Viviers, and Alais. It is now included in the departments of Haute- Loire, Lozere, Ardeche, Aveyron, and Gard. CEYLON, an island in the Indian ocean, belong- ing to Great Britain, between 50 and 60 m. from the S. extremity of Hindostan. It is sepa- rated from the mainland by the gulf of Manaar and Palk strait. Its limits extend between lat. 5 d 55' and 9 51' N., and Ion. 79 52' and 81 55' E. It is oval, nearly pear-shaped, extend- ing in length N. and S. ; is 266 m. long ; greatest breadth 140J m., average breadth about 100 m. ; area, 24,705 sq. m. ; pop. in 1871, 2,405,287. On the N. W. its shores are low and sandy, and a succession of bold rocks, stretching across the gulf of Manaar, together with the holy island of Ramisseram, nearly connect it with the mainland. From its position and geological character, Ceylon appears to have been once part of the mainland. The straits which sepa- rate the island from it are navigable only for small vessels. The main western channel has been widened and deepened by the British gov- ernment, and is now traversed by vessels of 300 tons, thus much facilitating the coasting trade, and materially shortening the voyages between the Malabar and Coromandel coasts. The W. and S. coasts are low, much indented, and lined with cocoanut and other palms. Numerous small harbors are found along this shore. The E. coast, from Matura to Trincomalee, is an arid but bold and precipitous shore. On these sides the line of coast is of varying depth, from 30 to 80 m., surrounding the mountain ranges which form the centre of the island. The N. shore is a vast arid and sandy plain, teeming with swamps and jungle. The pearl oyster banks are on the W. coast, and when the fisheries are opened, vast but temporary towns are suddenly formed and as suddenly abandoned, by pearl fishers and speculators in pearls. The island possesses two excellent harbors, Trincomalee on the N. E. and Point de Galle on the S. coast. Colombo, the capital, on the W. coast, has but an open roadstead ; and Point de Galle is the principal port of the island. There are several smaller harbors, suitable for coasting vessels. The roads of Colombo afford safe but stormy anchorage ; but at particular seasons, especially June and October, communication with the shore is difficult and hazardous. Other harbors are Batticaloa, Matura, and Caltura on the E. and S., and Negumbo, Chilaro, Calpentyn, Manaar, and Point Pedro on the W. and N. W. coasts. There are numerous small islets along the coasts, and two considerable peninsulas, Jaffnapatam on the N. "W. and Calpentyn on the W. The mountain ranges of Ceylon rise in the centre of the southern or broader part of the island. The general direction of the chief ranges is from N. to S. ; but several ranges branch off in various directions. Several peaks or summits rise to a great height. Pedrotal- lagalla, an abrupt peak, the highest on the isl- and, is 8,280 ft. high, and Adam's peak, 7,420. The greater part of the fertile and highly cul- tivated hillside country ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 ft. high. The plain of Newera Ellia, the sanatarium of the island, is at an elevation of 6,210 ft. Candy, the capital of the cen- tral province, and former capital of the inde- pendent kingdom, is 1,678 ft. above the sea. Adam's peak is the most remarkable summit on the island. It is resorted to by Mohamme- dan and Buddhist pilgrims, being one of their holy places. (See ADAM'S PEAK.) The island has numerous small rivers and brooks, but no considerable streams. Few are navigable for Adam's Peak. more than a few miles from their mouths. The chief is the Mahavelli Gunga, which rises in the southern highlands, flows N., and empties into the bay of Trincomalee ; it is nearly 200 m. long. The next, the Kalani Gunga, has its source at the foot of Adam's peak, and falls into the sea near Colombo. There are no lakes of importance in the interior, but several ex- tensive lagoons on the E. coast. Some of these are connected by canals and natural streams, and are used for purposes of commerce. Arti- ficial lakes, the relics of native undertakings of former days, are found. One is still in good condition, and serves to irrigate a large district between Candy and Trincomalee. It is 20 m. in circumference, and its waters are imprisoned in the valley which contains them by a vast embankment 60 ft. wide at top. Another, now in ruins, appears to have been kept in bounds by a wall of masonry 12 m. long and 160 ft. thick. These collections of water were