CiiAr. v.] HOT WELLS. 407 



forest, where there have recently been discovered ex- 

 tensive ruins of temples and buildings ; and remains 

 of richly carved stone-work ; but as to their age or 

 history, the inhabitants possess not the faintest tra- 

 dition. The hot wells, in addition to their medical 

 qualities, are held sacred in the eyes of the Tamils, 

 from their dedication to Kannea, the mother of Eawana. 

 They are a place of constant resort for the devout, 

 who repair to them on the thirtieth day after the death 

 of their friends, to perform certain funeral rites, and 

 distribute alms and rice amongst the poorer members of 

 their families. The ruins of a temple to Ganesa are still 

 to be traced. The masonry and conduits by Avhich the 

 wells are enclosed and the water conducted, were |)robably 

 the work of the Dutch, who were aware of the hygienic 

 properties of the spring. 



We passed the night in the rest-house of Nillavelli, 

 built on the model of one of those substantial edifices, 

 by which " the Hollander " has left a memento of his 

 presence in the maritime districts of Ceylon. TJiis old 

 house is said to have been timbered from the wreck of 

 a ship stranded on the seashore within gunshot of the 

 village. Thence by Coomberapoote, CuchaveUi, Terrai 

 and Koombanda-mootoo, we made our way to the 

 southern shore of the lake of Kokelai, halfway between 

 Jaffna and Trincomahe. Tliis hne of coast is indented 

 at frequent intervals by rocky bays, where the fisher- 

 men have established themselves in villnges, less with 

 a view to the pursuit of their ordinary calling, than for 

 facility of communication with the smugghng boats that 

 carry on a contraband trade with India ; lanchng cotton, 

 cloth, brass ware, and other articles from the Coromandel 

 coast, which are carried through forest paths to be bartered 

 in the Kandyan country. 



The rocks, which run into the sea near these coves 

 are deeply impregnated with iron ; and at CutchaveUi 

 in particular, the sand for some miles Avas as black as 

 coal, bearing at least fifty per cent, of magnetic iron, 



VOL. II. K K 



