but on the peninsula the water is brackish. According to Cordiner, we may set down its population at 50,000 inhabitants. The part inhabited by the principal Europeans is surrounded with a regular fortification, on one side resting on the sea, the other on an inland lake; the streets are at right angles, shaded by rows of trees, chiefly the showy and elegant portia or tulip tree; the houses are low, but neat, fronted with verandas and Venetian blinds before the windows. Without the fort is the Pettah, or black town, and the bazar, or market. Here people of all nations, languages, manners, and religions, are blended together-Dutch, Portuguese, and English; Cingalese, Malabars, and Moors of every class; Hindoos, Gentoos, Parsees, Arabs, Malays, Chinese, Javanese, Buggees, Caffres, half castes, and mongrel breeds of every shade and tint of colour, from the sickly white of the European to the jet black of the African.-South from Colombo the cocoa-nut trees get still more plentiful, and the formation of cables of the fibres is one of the staple manufactures of some of the villages on the coast. This richness and beauty continue along the whole of the south-west and south; and there is then the advantage of at least a tolerable harbour at Point de Galle, a few miles W. of the southmost part. -The province of Matura, in the extreme south, is also celebrated for its scenery, the groves and thickets there alternating much more with open glades than in other parts of the island.-Dondra Head, the southmost part of the island, lies a few miles to the E. of the little town of Matura; and a few miles inland, there is a single block of stone (Mulgurelenna) 300 feet in height, with a flight of 545 steps, of great antiquity, winding to the summit, which is crowned with a tomb, or temple, of Buddha, in the shape of a bell. After passing the south point, the character of the coast changes much for the worse. It is unhealthy, covered with wood, broken by salt marshes, and infested with wild beasts. Even this country, were it properly cleared, would be very fertile, and probably much improved in point of healthiness; but in its present state, neither cultivated plants nor domestic animals are safe, the elephants attacking the former, and the beasts of prey the latter. This general character of the coast continues all the way to Trincomalee; and thence to Jaffnapatam it partakes of the character of the coast immediately to the south of that settlement. The town of Mantotte, now in ruins, is said to have been the capital of a kingdom founded by the Brahmins, who had possession of almost all the northern parts of Ceylon, including Jaffnapatam. Contiguous to Mantotte is an immense reservoir, called the Giant's Tank;' it is 16 or 18 miles in extent, and would hold, if in repair, a supply of water sufficient to irrigate all the rice-grounds around it. At the distance of about nine miles from this tank, an embankment, constructed of immense stones cemented with lime, has been laid across the Moesely or Aripo river, in order to collect the water, and lead it by means of canals into the Giant's tank. The length of this dam is 600 feet; its breadth in some parts 60, in none less than 40 feet; and its height from 8 to 12 feet." The city of Candy, the

6

These works indicate the ancient existence of some powerful and populous nation in the island, an opinion which is farther confirmed by the astonishing works around the lake of Candeley, distant about 16 miles from Trincomalé. This lake, which is nearly 15 miles in circumference, is embanked in several places with a wall of huge stones, each from 12 to 14 feet long, and broad and thick in proportion, laid regularly one over the other. At one point in this majestic work two hills are joined together in order to collect the water of the lake by an embankment nearly 150 feet in breadth at the base and 30 at the summit. In this part of the wall arches are to be seen; and over these, in the work which is under the level of the water, an opening is made exactly resembling the conduttori used by the Romans in some of the lakes of Italy, for

capital of the native rajah, is situated in the province of Tallanour, surrounded on all sides by lofty mountains, whose sides are covered with thick jungle. It is about two miles in length, and consists of a number of mud-built houses, surrounded by a mud-wall. The only buildings of any consequence in Candy are the temples of Buddha and the royal palace which is a square-built edifice of immense dimensions.

Political Importance.] There is no doubt that the possession of Cey lon was turned to good account by the Portuguese and Dutch, although its expenditure exceeds its revenue at present, and a vote of supply is annually made by parliament for the support of our Ceylonese establishment. The resources of this valuable island have not yet been opened up. At present they want capital to call that labour into action; but if a liberal system of colonization is pursued towards it this want will be speedily supplied, and the deficit in its finances made up. But it is not in a commercial view alone that we are to estimate the value of this possession, which is one "that," says M. Bartolacci, "in the event of a great reverse of fortune on the continent of India, would still afford us a most commanding position, invulnerable by the Indian powers in the peninsula, and yet so situated as to give us the greatest facility of regaining the sovereignty of that country."-"The harbour of Trincomalé is open to the largest fleets in every season of the year, when the storms of the S.W. and N.E monsoons render impracticable, or very dangerous, the approach to other parts in India. This circumstance alone ought to fix our attention to that spot, as peculiarly adapted to be made a strong military depot, and a place of great mercantile resort, if a generally free trade becomes effectually established from India to other parts of the world. It ought farther to be observed, that the narrowness of the channel which separates the island of Ceylon from the continent of India, and the position of Adam's Bridge, which checks the violence of the monsoons, leaves on either side of it a calm sea and facilitates a passage to the opposite coast at all times of the year. A respectable European force stationed at Colombo, Jaffnapatam, or Trincomalé, can, in a very few days, or hours, be landed on the Malabar and Coromandel provinces." The possession of such a station as this, among the rich islands of the vast Indian archipelago, is of the utmost importance to a commercial nation.

The earliest account, in our language, of this interesting and important island, is an exceedingly amusing and instructive narrative, written by Robert Knox, who, in the year 1659, was kidnapped by the king of Candy, and detained 19 years in his dominions. The narratives of Mr Percival and Mr Cordiner, were both published since the commencement of the present century, and will be found to contain a great deal of correct and interesting information. A variety of valuable information respecting this island and the inhabitants has been furnished us, in the reports of our Bible and Missionary societies; but the most valuable work that has yet ap. peared on Ceylon is Mr Anthony Bartolacci's view of its agricultural,

letting out the water, perhaps for the purpose of irrigation. Nor can we omit to mention a singular monument, discovered by Mr Sowers, collector of Batticaloe, in the year 1810, in the centre of a very thick forest. It is supposed to have been a Boodha pagoda, reared, like the Egyptian pyramids, in honour of the dead. The size of the building is gigantic; the basis of its cone is about a quarter of a mile in circumference, and on the tops and sides large trees have fixed their roots among the ruins, and that up to the height of 50 or 60 feet. It is surrounded by a square inclosure, a mile in cir cumference, consisting of a broad wall, made of brick and mortar, and having within it a number of cells.

commercial, and financial interests, published in 1817, and accompanied by a very large and comprehensive map from the latest surveys.

ADJACENT ISLANDS.] Ramiseram, the holy island of Rama, is situate at the northern extremity of Ceylon, about 20 miles from the shore. It is a low flat island, about 20 miles in circumference, and may be considered as the most southerly pier of that series of shoals and coral-rocks which, under the name of Rama's or Adam's Bridge, serves to connect Ceylon with the coast of Coromandel. The whole island is dedicated to the purposes of religion; no plough is allowed to break the soil, and no animal, either wild or tame, to be killed within its precincts. It is inhabited chiefly by priests, who are supported in luxury by the produce of certain lands in Coromandel, and the donations of pious individuals; and by immense crowds of pilgrims, jugglers, and beggars, who resort to it from all parts of India, to implore absolution for their sins, or to take advantage of the momentary charity of the richer penitents. It is adorned with a multitude of beautiful temples, besides an immense pagoda, which forms the chief object of curiosity and veneration. The number of pillars within this temple amounts to 2,628, and some idea of its extent may be formed from the admeasurement of its surrounding walls, (between which and the building itself there is but a small vacant space,) which is 830 feet from E. to W., and 625 from N. to S. There are upwards of 200 Brahmins attached to this temple, which is for the most part of recent construction, the ancient fabric having been almost entirely demolished by the Mahommedan conquerors.

DELFT, one of the cluster of islands adjacent to Jaffnapatam, has been almost entirely set apart under government for the growing of hane or hemp, and manufacturing it into cordage. A valuable breed of horses is also reared upon it.

Authorities.] Campbell's Account, Lond. 1798, 8vo.-Perceval's Account of Ceylon, Lond. 1803, 4to.-Cordiner's Description of Ceylon, Lond. 1807, 2 vols. 4to.-Asiatic Researches.-Lotgevallen door J. Haafner, Haarlem, 1806, 8vo.-Valentia's Travels, Lond. 1809.-Reise nach Ceylon etc von J. C. Wolf, Berl. 1782-4, 2 vols. 8vo.-Bertolacci's Statistical Account, Lond. 1817, 8vo.-Davy's Account of Ceylon, Lond. 1821, 4to.

CHAP. XI.-THE MALDIVES AND LACCADIVES.

THE Laccadives are a group of islands in the Indian ocean, 75 miles to the W. of Malabar. They are divided into 15 smaller clusters, each of which contains two or more islands, and several rocks and dry uninhabited spots; but the largest of them does not contain above six square miles of land, and they are surrounded by dangerous coral reefs. The soil is rocky, and yields no grain; their only produce is poultry, eggs, cocoa-nuts, betelnuts, and plantains. The inhabitants are inoffensive, and not so shy as their Maldivian neighbours. They subsist on cocoa-nuts and fish, and manufacture a kind of sugar from cocoa milk. Their numbers are about 10,000, scattered over 19 islands. They are of Arabian origin, and profess Islamism. They are called Moplays by the inhabitants of the Deccan. These islands were discovered by Vasco de Gama in 1499, but are politically dependent on Canara, and under the dominion of England. They are seldom visited by European ships, on account of the intricate naviga

tion. Ships may, however, safely take in refreshments at Kan Rattea, in 10° 34′ N. lat. and 72° 56′ E. long. There is also a good harbour in the isle of Kalpeny. The Laccadives extend between the 10th and 12th

parallels.

To the S. of the Laccadives, and extending between the 8th degree of N. latitude and the equator, are the Maldives, or Male-Dives, consisting of numerous attollons or circular clusters, inclosing interior smooth shallow seas, and surrounded by chains of coral rocks, in general level with the water, and running from half a mile to within 50 yards of the land. In some parts of these reefs there are openings sufficient to admit boats; and where bays are formed by projecting parts of the clusters, there is anchorage over a sandy bottom mixed with shells and coral. Many of the islands furnish fresh water a few feet from the surface of the soil. The whole are covered with cocoa-trees and a thick growth of underwood. The most northern islands of the groupe are the most fertile and salubrious; ambergrease and coral are collected in great abundance on the shores; an impor. tant fishery of cowrie-shells is also carried on. At one time a vessel or two from the British settlements used to visit the Maldives to load cowries, but owing to the unhealthiness of the climate, and the long detention, these visits were discontinued, and the trade is now carried on with Balasore, in Orissa, by native vessels. Ships from Eastern India sometimes resort to the Maldives to procure sharks' fins for the Chinese, who esteem them an excellent seasoning for soup.-The Maldivians appear to be of Malay origin. Some consider them as a melange of Hindoos and Arabs. According to their own traditions, their ancestors arrived from the Malabar coast some centuries ago. Their language appears peculiar to themselves; but many of them can speak Hindostanee. They are well-made, and of an olive complexion, with bushy beards. They profess Islamism, and the more learned among them speak Arabic, and expound the koran. It is said that national animosities long stirred up violent wars between the inhabitants of the Maldives and Laccadives; but that since the sovereign of the Laccadives came under British control, these disputes have ceased. A plurality of wives, but no concubines, is allowed, yet adultery and fornication are hardly ever known. The women are extremely industrious, and generally employed in spinning or dyeing cloth, twisting cois or cocoa fibres, picking cowries, or managing their domestic affairs. They dress very modestly in garments of cotton, and sometimes of silk, brought close round the neck, with long sleeves, and flowing to the ancles.—Mall, in 4° 20′ N. lat., is the seat of government. It is nearly circular, and not above three miles in circumference. The island is fortified all round with works mounting 100 pieces of artillery. The town extends over the whole island, and is remarkably neat and clean. The houses are built generally of wood and mats; some of the richer traders have stone houses, and the sultan's house is a low stone building regularly fortified. The government appears to be despotic, and hereditary in the family of the sultan; but he has a ministry composed of eight chiefs or viziers, who have islands assigned them for their support while in office. The chief priest is called pandiar. No European settlement has yet been effected on these islands.

AMERICA.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

EASTWARD of Asia, westward of Europe and Africa, between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, lies the great continent of America, next to Asia the largest of the five general divisions of the globe. It extends from Cape Horn, in 55° 58′ 30′′ S. lat., to an unknown northern latitude, and from the 55th to the 165th degree of W. long. It is upwards of 9000 miles in length, and from 1500 to 1800 in average breadth. Templemann has estimated its superficial area at 14,323,000 square miles; Balbi at 14,622,000; and Gräberg at 15,737,000.

Divisions.] The continent of America is naturally divided into two portions, which almost merit the distinction of independent continents, being only separated from each other, under the 9th parallel, by the isthmus of Panama, or Darien, which is in some places not more than from 40 to 50 miles broad. These two great general divisions of this continent are distinguished by the names of NORTH and SOUTH AMERICA. Between these two divisions lie the WEST INDIA ISLANDS, extending from the gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean sea, into the Atlantic.

NORTH AMERICA includes Greenland belonging to Denmark,-British America, which comprises New Britain, Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia,-the Russian possessions in the N.W., -the United States,-Mexico,-and Guatimala.

SOUTH AMERICA comprises Colombia, Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, the Banda Oriental, and Patagonia. Whether we consider the magnitude of this continent as a whole,— the scale upon which all the great features of its natural geography are constructed, the recent period of its discovery, the character and institutions of its aboriginal inhabitants,- -or the social institutions to which it has given birth,-America, in both hemispheres, presents a most interesting field of inquiry to the naturalist, the philosopher, the politician, and the merchant.

General Aspect.] When we cast our eyes on the Western world, the first thing which strikes us, besides its extraordinary magnitude as a whole, is the large forms in which Nature has cast its different physical features. Its rivers are large and rapid beyond those of the ancient continents; and after falling into the ocean, they give rise to currents which are perceptible at a very great distance from their mouths. The Maranon, the Orinoco, and the Plata, in South America, and the Mississippi and St Laurence in North America, are all conspicuous for the width of the channels in which they flow, and the prodigious mass of waters which they each contribute There is no chain of mountains on this side of the globe,— the Himalaya excepted,-which, in extent and altitude, can be compared

to the ocean.