? EQUUS ZEYLANICUS. 269 
my possession a sample of the deposit from which the fossil 
teeth were obtained, a comparison between it and the sediments 
of the flat is easy. In the hand specimens the two would be 
quite indistinguishable were it not for some difference in the 
contained molluscan species. Mineralogically the samples 
are identical, but a slight difference exists between the pro- 
portions of the minerals present, as may be expected from the 
difference of local geology. The gray sandy clay from Wella- 
watta, for example, is richer in heavy minerals (ilmenite, 
zircon, &c.) than that of Palavi; but the deposits of some 
other flats south of Palavi yield concentrates comparable in 
bulk with those of the Wellawatta stratum. 
The gray sandy clay is a typical “ flat’ deposit. It is 
formed in quiescent places, and is characteristic of large 
sweeping bays; it is commonly associated with coral reefs. 
The deposit is sufficiently definite and distinct in type to be 
entitled to a special name ; it has no specific place in geological 
nomenclature as far as I know, nor do I intend to christen it ; 
it will be convenient, however, to call it by its Tamil equi- 
valent kadu-suli (@@een).* The deposit composing the 
coastal flats is a kadu-suli, so is the gray sandy clay from 
Wellawatta. The striking similarity of the two sediments is 
the strongest possible argument in favour of a common origin. 
In all probability the Wellawatta kadu-suli was laid down 
in a bay, the span of which was defined on the north by a 
rocky headland, which now supports the battery, and on the 
south by a similar prominence—the site of the present Mount 
Lavinia Hotel. 
As we have seen, the coast of Ceylon is subject to fluctua- 
tions of level. It is not possible to say with certainty whether 
the land is stationary or sinking or rising at the present time ; 

* The present day mud flats are almost confined (on the western 
coast of the Island) to the sea-board of what may be called the Tamil 
country (i.e., the Northern Province and the northern part of the 
North-Western Province). The Tamils, however, seldom use the term 
kadu-suli (sea mud), as suli suffices for most varieties of clay and 
slush. Curiously enough the Sinhalese have a saying in which “ sea 
mud ”’ (mude-mada) is used in the exemplary sense for a thing unheard 
of : &G29.956) 9,829 gman 06.8 Gag O08 Am, DenmS—* Just 
. one needs stars from heaven and mud from the sea to cure a fire-fly’s 
ite.” 
