128 SOUTHEKX AXD CEXTRAL PROA^INCES. [Part YII. 



On liftinc^ the sand from the sea-shore, at the back 

 of the rest-house, I was surprised to find amongst it 

 numerous fragments of red coral, similar to that brought 

 by the fishermen of Xaples from the straits of Messina. 

 The Mahawanso alludes to the finding of such coral in 

 the Gulf of Manaar m the second century ^, but it has 

 never in modern times been sought for systematically. 

 The ordinary white coral is found in such quantities on 

 this part of the coast that an active trade exists in 

 shipping it to Colombo and Galle, where, when calcined, 

 it serves as the only species of lime used for builduigs of 

 all kinds. 



Durmg the com^se of the memorable siege of 

 Colombo, by Eaja Singha L, in 1587, the Portuguese, 

 hoping to efiect a diversion, directed numerous expedi- 

 tions against the unprotected villages on this part of 

 the coast, destroyuig the gardens, firing the dwelhngs, 

 and carrying away the peasantry to be sent into slavery 

 in India. Faria y Souza relates a touchmg hicident 

 which occurred on this occasion at Cosgodde, a hamlet 

 a few miles south of Bentotte : — " Among the pri- 

 soners taken at Cosgore^ was a bride ; and as the ships 

 were ready to weigh anchor, there ran suddenly mto 

 that in which she was, a young man, and embracing 

 her, and she him, they said many words not under- 

 stood. By the help of an interpreter, it was known 

 that that man was the bridegroom, who being abroad 

 when the bride was taken, he came to be a slave with 

 her rather than five without her. And she said that 

 since he, by that demonstration of love, had made her 

 happier than all the Chingala women (for they were 

 of those people), she esteemed her slavery rather a 

 blessing than a misfortune. Souza de AiTonches, 



1 Mahawanso, cli. xxviii. p. 108. I prodigieuse de corail, et en plusieiirs 



The Portup-iiese were aware of the endi-oits, ce corail noir est plus es- 



existeiice of red coral on the coast : time que le rouge." — Ribeyho, lib. i. 



" Quand la mer est gi-osse, elle en I eh. xxii. p. 172. 



pousse siir les bords uue quantite I 



