* CHAPTER X V II. ,
Minerals pf^jOeylon, g
T h e mipefals .of r Ceylon ^ar.q. numerous,, aiid .the.island has
long been particularly famous_ for its precious stones, of which
wje fii}d not^ess than, about twenty different.sdrt'y -I^w a s.e n -
abledt©; .procure specimens of them .which T’
Rome with me; To Europe, both in a roqgh and .polished state.
The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond* of Ceylon, or Matura,
are not by any means so valuable' as those «pf^Gqlcohda or,. th e
Brazils. The sapphire, ^amethyst,, aqua marine, and Tourmalin,
are qnt the .contrary equal to those of any .Qthe^ country. 7j*i
*.•, iThe diamond offCeylon is seldom completely^ transparent, but
generally appears ..of a milky colour. . Burning has the^e&ct
of .rendering it .somewhat purer. I t is- ci^ .gy.. rings and'iyff-
tdng, in which I have, already said the Ceylonese are,very ..extravagant.
As it is. found in great abundance, it is,, not v]py
any means high-priced here.
The ruby or laal is esteemed according to-its clearness,«the
deepness of its-red* and its freedom from flaws. Thespr stones
arte seldom ,found of any considerable size in Ceylon; "and
most frequently are no "larger than grains of . barley. They
are of three' sorts, distinguished by the shades of r e d .1
^ Tbe'fytmnth, garnet, and cinnamon stone is fqdjid im great
plenty; as also agate of diffei’ent colours, of which they m a te
sword-handles, snuff-boxes, &c.
T h e ! m fy m , rm g ffl
wifhha^twbld^plisqr. TheywM^mc'excfeed Ibife -siz^1^ a> Walnd-f^
bbt ‘htcfflfr dbmrttoniyvdi'e' ^otftd &nall. Their VWtM dte^Jnds
ffpon Tlrei^'sS^f hndVffiell^jlhteSh ^hteir
d ih ln n f lM lb y lf ^ different
ttlSpK'« Thteji H - g i s t
cfP1 vffribCt# aP^fip¥fenS0hfeejloh l*ahd mbd
'va‘lhlBle; {ih 'iindM. ;‘
'p Sardb9il& h ^ ; i JtL&he.
ar^Two liifld ^ b ^ h lP lltfd r M fe%fldti^P-^e^Tlikd!fT;lib
dlrofaM, ‘'bht5 ^fhe^fedt- is^1 Hriked^with^ Whiffe,8' ^ ^ ^ . .
while«i)^| green- oil thd^o.thei4ht3
-^'m«ffesf ImMvrff b$ th^h&rtfe
i^i^rfted^MqttSliffil/^arl fcliSa^aSglf
T lh reTd tfo^pm&Mn^appekk' transparent;only-:;,when at-W held^ltp
J|SmstAfffi rgdlffad. -f^Th^ 'ilu e
qutim .pT?m > gtemwuiT>>
<&&utif&fWspaferflfi’gramv^tddfJ
4h<T
^ ^ b l f e d afdbe^ M^hdugh^t-rA'^OnigtM^ii&dnfli'mft^^dfeflteV
Mbth-. It*& fedd^-q&gfer Than’’'k p 6 a r 5Hpt W^«he^^e&ii&±
ful Kpjgh ftSsfHfct7 r ib ^ it
The topaz is-chiefly found in yellowish splinters, and«ftie’ shades
fete^gfdeitMy? ’
Thte- Wee gr^eH PdppKkd, dfe ^ f f b ^iiifo; Btt%I
fells - a h ^ f i ^ . o Whbii found ftdd‘>fteft ^ ^
valuhbM.1-. f r o f e > p a t e s « % . tM^dete^fl' t o jfattd
' >-w z 2 l!i:: H