CiiAP. v.] TRLVCOMALIE. 491 



the shipping })lace, preparatory to embarcation. But 

 even Avere the latter objection uniformly existent, (which 

 is far from being the case,) its inconveniences would soon 

 be obviated by improvements in the })rocess of drying, by 

 the construction of more suitable buikUngs, and by greatly 

 increased facilities of transport. 



The project .may at present be premature, and its 

 realisation- remote, but it is one which the clianging 

 circumstances of the colony is rendering year by year 

 more obvious and imminent ; and the growing conxic- 

 tion of its utility in the minds of the ])lanting and agri- 

 cultural conmiunity, by far the most influential in Ceylon, 

 will eventually overcome the scruples and hesitation of 

 the mercantile l)ody. 



The once fertile ])lains of Tamblegam are now a 

 shallow lake, some twenty miles in circumference, com- 

 municating with the western side of the Bay of Trin- 

 comalie. The natives have a tradition which accords 

 Avith the legend, before adverted to, that at no remote 

 period the bottom of this lake was one broad expanse 

 of paddi-fields, irrigated by a canal from tlie enormous 

 tank at Kandelai, twenty-four miles to the westward. 

 But the tank was permitted to fall into ruin ; and the 

 waters, escaping in a torrent, converted their ordinary 

 outlet into an impetuous river, wliich speedily over- 

 liowed the plains below, and burst open an entrance 

 for the sea,, which, once admitted, ever since has con- 

 tinued to hold possession. An examination of the 

 locality coufirms, to some extent, the possible truth of 

 this tracUtion. The remains of the great tank are still 

 in fine preservation, and could be readily restored ; 

 but the waters issuing from the broken bund, altliougli 

 ])artially a])plied to cultivation, flow almost neglected 

 through the lai^'oon of Tamblegam. ^ 



Tlie Tamblegam lake itself is chiefly valuable for its 



' lujwii of \h. Kklaaut, Oct. l.<)7. 



