xiv Contents. 



P\OE 



the Season of Pearl-fishing. — The Divers. — Pearl-lime, a chewing Sub- 

 stance of wcalthj' Malays. — Annual Profit of the Pearl-fishery. — Origin of 

 the Pearl. — Poetry and Natural Science. — Artificial Production of the 

 Pearl. — The Chank-shell. — The Wealth of Ceylon in Precious Stones. — 

 Visit to a Cocoa-nut Oil Manufactory. — The CoMTy-shell, a Promoter of 

 the Slave Trade. — Discover^' of valuable Cingalese MSS. on Pahn-leaves. 

 — The heroic Poem of " Mahawanso," and Tui-noui-'s English Translation 

 of it. — Hospitality of English Ofiicials in Colombo. — A second Visit to 

 Father MHiani. — Agreeable Reception. — The Antidote-oil against Bites of 

 Poisonous Snakes. — Adventui-es on the Journey back to Galle. — Ascent of 

 Adam's Peak by two Members of the Expedition. — The Sacred Footprint. 

 — Descent. — The " Bullock-bandy," or Native Waggon. — Departiire from 

 Galle for Madras. — The Bassos (Shallows). — A Berlin Rope-dancer among 

 the Passengers. — Nyctalopia'; or, Night Blindness. — Fii-e on Board. — 

 Arrival in Madras Roads 345 



CHAPTER IX. 



MADRAS. 



" Catamarans " and " Masuli " Boats. — Difficulty of Disembarkation, and Plans 

 for remedying it. — History. — Brahmiuism. — Festival in Honour of Vislinu. 

 — Employment of Heathens under a Christian Government. — Pohtics and 

 Rehgion. — Laws of Brahminic Faitii. — The Obsei-vatory. — Musemn of 

 Natural History and Zoological Garden. — Academy of Fine Arts. — 

 Medical School. — Infirmary. — Orphan Asylum. — Dr. BeU. — Lancastrian 

 Method of Teaching Children first Applied in Madras. — Colonel Mac- 

 kenzie's Collection of Indian Inscriptions and MSS. — The Palace 

 of the former Nabob of the Coromandel Coast. — Journey by Rail to Vellore. 

 — Fete given by the Governor ui Gmndy Pai'k. — Visit to the ]Monolitiiic 

 Monuments of Mahamalaipuram. — Excursion to PuHcat Lake. — Madras 

 Club. — Fete in Honour of tiie Members of the Novara Expedition. — 

 " Tiffin " and Dance on Board. — Departure from Madi-as. — Zodiacal Light. 

 — Slirove Tuesday in the Tropics. — Amval at the Island of Kar-Nicobar . 424 



