Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/228

 220 CEYLOtf formed by damming the natural outlets of the mountain streams at the mouths of extensive valleys. They were of great service to the country when more densely populated and thoroughly cultivated than now. A belt of gray and black sandstone and coral formations nearly encompasses the island. The rocks of the interior are mostly primitive, consisting of granite, gneiss, large veins of quartz, &c. Limestone occurs only in Jaffnapatam and the northern districts. The surface soil is mostly sandy. The soil of the cinnamon plantations near Colombo is perfectly white, and consists of pure quartz. Ores of iron, lead, tin, and manganese are found in the interior. Plum- bago of excellent quality occurs. Quicksilver mines exist, and were formerly worked by the Dutch. The most valuable gems are the ruby, sapphire, amethyst, cat's-eye, and carbuncle. Cinnamon stones and garnets exist in great plenty. Iron ore is worked up by the Cinga- lese in a rude way, but with considerable suc- cess, the iron being equal in temper to the best Swedish. Salt, which is found in beds, is a mo- nopoly of the government and affords a consider- able revenue. The climate of Ceylon differs little from that of the neighboring part of In- dia; but the island is much healthier than any portion of southern India. The N. E. and S. W. monsoons mark the changes of the seasons, which occur on the seacoasts in May or June and October or November, bringing with them heavy thunder storms. The highest tempera- ture at Colombo is about 87; on the coffee estates it is stated at between 56 and 80 ; and in the high valley of Newera Ellia, during Jan- uary and February, the mercury falls as low as 31. The prevailing diseases of the country are cholera, dysentery, and fevers. Elephantiasis is a disease peculiar to the natives. The beri- beri (hydrops asthmaticus) is another disease nearly peculiar to the island. The zoology of Ceylon bears a general resemblance to that of the adjoining mainland. The elephants are of a less tractable species than those of India and Africa. They exist in great numbers in the interior, and commit frequent ravages upon the native fields. They are often trapped in vast kraals, into which they are driven by a great assemblage of natives. Of late years English huntsmen have killed very many of them for sport. According to Sir J. E. Ten- nent, not one elephant in a hundred is found with tusks in Ceylon. Oxen of small size and buffaloes are used as draught animals. There are four species of deer and a great variety of monkeys, as well as the jackal, squirrel, porcu- pine, wild boar, bear, and one species of ant- eater. Leopards are met with, but they are not numerous and seldom attack man. Of birds there are all the varieties common to the tropics. There are several species of ser- pents, including the venomous tic polonga, the cobra de capello, and gigantic pythons, as well as ten species of tree snakes. Crocodiles are found in the rivers, scorpions and huge spiders in the houses, and lizards in the woods. Fish are of many varieties, and in great abun- dance, some of excellent quality for eating. The vegetable products are numerous and val- uable. There are 416 known varieties of val- uable woods, of which 33 are used for house, furniture, and ship building. Among these are satinwood and ebony. The cocoanut palm is altogether the most useful tree to the natives. It grows readily without cultivation, is not limited to one soil, and every part of it is made use of by the Cingalese. The fruit, when green, supplies food and drink; when dry, oil; the sap is made into toddy and arrack ; the fibrous husk furnishes ropes, nets, and matting; the nutshells form household utensils; the plaited leaves serve the same purpose, and also for thatch ; the dried flower stalks serve as torch- es, and the large leaves as fences. The trees bear from 50 to 100 nuts per annum, and often grow so near the water's edge that the waves wash their roots. There are several other va- rieties of palms, one of which furnishes in its wide-spreading leaves the umbrella which is a notable article of Cingalese use. The fruit of the betelnut palm is exported. Besides native fruits, which are not numerous, various Euro- pean and Indian fruits have been introduced latterly under the auspices of English planters, who have formed an agricultural society. Cin- namon, which grows wild in the forests, is cul- tivated to a large extent, arrives at a high state of perfection, and has long been an important article of export. Its cultivation was formerly a government monopoly, but was thrown open to the public in 1833. "When growing wild, the cinnamon plant attains a height of 20 to 30 ft. ; cultivated, it is not allowed to grow so thriftily, the young shoots giving the finest bark. Coffee flourishes, and has latterly been the chief article exported to Great Britain. Rice, cotton, tobacco, and pepper are also cul- tivated. Breadfruit grows abundantly. The sugar cane does not succeed. There are two rice harvests annually, January to March, and August to October. The population (ex- clusive of Europeans) consists of four classes : the native Cingalese ; Moors, who are Moham- medans of Arab descent ; Veddahs, a savage, perhaps aboriginal race, inhabiting the moun- tain fastnesses; and the Malabars and other Hindoos, who immigrated from the neighbor- ing continent. The religion of Buddha is the dominant native creed. There are four great political castes, and 24 minor ones. The Cinga- lese are singularly mild and inoffensive in their manners, and make very poor soldiers. Their genius seems to be for agriculture and for peace. Christianity was introduced in the 6th century, but subsequently died out, and was revived by the preaching of St. Francis Xavier in the 16th century. The mission was very successful; a Jesuit college was established, and the prov- ince of Jaffna became almost wholly Christian. The Dutch banished the Catholic priests and nuns, and gave employment to no unbaptized