GEOLOGY.--MINERALOGY.--GEMS.
I. General Aspect.
Singular beauty of the island
Its ancient renown in consequence
Fable of its "perfumed winds" (note)
Character of the scenery
II. Geographical Position
Ancient views regarding it amongst the Hindus,--"the Meridian of
Lanka"
Buddhist traditions of former submersions (note)
Errors as to the dimensions of Ceylon
Opinions of Onesicritus, Eratosthenes, Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy,
Agathemerus 8,
The Arabian geographers
Sumatra supposed to be Ceylon (note)
True latitude and longitude
General Eraser's map of Ceylon (note)
Geological formation
Adam's Bridge
Error of supposing Ceylon to be a detached fragment of India
III. The Mountain System
Remarkable hills, Mihintala and Sigiri
Little evidence of volcanic action
Rocks, gneiss
Rock temples
Laterite or "Cabook"
Ancient name Tamba-panni (note)
Coral formation
Extraordinary wells
Darwin's theory of coral wells examined (note)
The soil of Ceylon generally poor
"Patenas," their phenomena obscure
Rice lands between the hills
Soil of the plains, "Talawas"
IV. Metals.--Tin
Gold, nickel, cobalt
Quicksilver (note)
Iron
V. Minerals.--Anthracite, plumbago, kaolin, nitre caves
List of Ceylon minerals (note)
VI. Gems, ancient fame of
Rose-coloured quartz (note)
Mode of searching for gems
Rubies
Sapphire, topaz, garnet, and cinnamon stone, cat's-eye, amethyst,
moonstone 37,
Diamond not found in Ceylon (note)
Gem-finders and lapidaries
VII. Rivers.--Their character
The Mahawelli-ganga
Table of the rivers
VIII. Singular coast formation, and its causes
The currents and their influence
Word "Gobb" explained (note)
Vegetation of the sand formations
Their suitability for the coconut
IX. Harbours.--Galle and Trincomalie
Tides
Red infusoria
Population of Ceylon
CHAP. II.
CLIMATE.--HEALTH AND DISEASE.
Uniformity of temperature
Brilliancy of foliage
Colombo.--January--long shore wind
February--cold nights (note)
March, April
May--S.W. monsoon
Aspect of the country before it
Lightning
Rain, its violence
June
July and August, September, October,
November. N.E. monsoon
December
Annual quantity of rain in Ceylon and Hindustan (note)
Opposite climates of the same mountain
Climate of Galle
Kandy and its climate
Mists and hail
Climate of Trincomalie (text and note)
Jaffna and its climate
Waterspouts
Anthelia
Buddha rays
Ceylon as a sanatarium.--Neuera-ellia
Health
Malaria
Food and wine 76,
Effects of the climate of Ceylon on disease
Precautions for health
CHAP. III
VEGETATION.--TREES AND PLANTS.
The Flora of Ceylon imperfectly known
Vegetation similar to that of India and the Eastern Archipelago
Trees of the sea-borde.--Mangroves--Screw-pines, Sonneratia
The Northern Plains.--Euphorbiæ Cassia.--Mustard-tree of Scripture
Western coast.--Luxurious vegetation
Eastern coast
Pitcher plant.--Orchids
Vines
Botany of the Mountains.--Iron-wood, Bamboo, European
fruit-trees
Tea-plant--_Rhododendron_--_Mickelia_
Rapid disappearance of dead trees in the forests
Trees with natural buttresses
Flowering Trees.--Coral tree
The Murutu--Imbul--Cotton tree--Champac
The Upas Tree--Poisons of Ceylon
The Banyan
The Sacred Bo-tree
The India Rubber-tree--The Snake-tree
Kumbuk-tree: lime in its bark
Curious Seeds.--The Dorian, _Sterculia foetida_
The Sea Pomegranate
Strychnos, curious belief as to its poison
_Euphorbia_--The Cow-tree, error regarding (note)
Climbing plants, Epiphytes, and flowering creepers
Orchids--Brilliant terrestrial orchid, the
Wanna-raja.--Square-stemmed Vine
Gigantic climbing Plants
Enormous bean
Bonduc seeds.--Ratans--Ratan bridges
Thorny Trees.--Raised as a natural fortification by the
Kandyans
The buffalo thorn, _Acacia tomentosa_
Palms
Coco-nut--Talipat
Palmyra
Jaggery Palm--Arcea Palm
Betel-chewing, its theory and uses
Pingos
Timber Trees
Jakwood--Del--Teak
Suria
Cabinet Woods.--Satin-wood--Ebony--Cadooberia
Calamander, its rarity and beauty
Tamarind
Fruit-trees
Remarkable power of trees to generate cold and keep their fruit
chill
Aquatic Plants--Lotus, red and blue
Desmanthus natans, an aquatic sensitive plant