district, are the finest in the world; also the ruby and
the carbuncle, the cinnamon and the moon stone;
the garnet and the amethyst, are very plentiful in
the central range of hills, in the Badulla and Newere
Ellia districts.
The famous pearl fisheries are in the Bay of Jaffna,
the extreme north-west point of Ceylon; they have
been very unremunerative for many years p a s t; but
now, beds having been laid down some years ago, the
Government expects better results at an early period.
Prices at the annual auction have of late years
averaged about a rupee for every hundred oysters;
this shows what risk purchasers run.
There is an exceedingly pretty drive from Galle
through forests of tropical growth to Wakaila, a little
elevated plateau, whence there is an extensive view of
the broad fertile plain, watered by the silvery Gindura,
stretching for many miles in an easterly direction,
and gradually fading away amongst the distant
mountains. En route I inspected a cinnamon garden,
which also contained a great many rambuUn and
bread fruit trees, also the traveller’s p alm
The “ Emu” ss., having arrived to take up
passengers for Singapore, I bid farewell to this
magnificent island, and, entrusting myself and baggage
to the tender care of a peculiarly shaped boat called
“ catamaran,” from a distance resembling a large
spider,—a sort of long trough or canoe, furnished with
a heavy outrigger resting upon the water to prevent
it capsizing, and quaint sails, I soon reached the
steamer, and off we started, passing in review many
miles of the pretty coast. Galle looks best from the
sea, especially at sunset.
o