40 PHYSICAL GEOGEAPHY. [Part I. 



passion for jewels is universal, are known to give such 

 extravagant prices that the best are always sent to them 

 from Ceylon. 



From the Custom House returns it is impossible to 

 form any calculation as to the value of the precious 

 stones exported from the island. A portion only ap- 

 pears, even of those sent to England, the remainder 

 being carried away by private parties. Of the total 

 number found, one-fourth is probably purchased by the 

 natives themselves, more than one-half is sent to the 

 Continent of India, and the remainder represents the 

 export to Europe. Computed in this way, the quantity 

 of precious stones found in the island may be estimated 

 at 10,000/. per annum. 



EiVERS. — From the mountainous configuration of the 

 country and the abundance of the rains, the rivers are 

 large and numerous in the south of the island — ten of 

 considerable magnitude flowing into the sea on the west 

 coast, between Point-de-Galle and Manaar, and a still 

 greater number, though inferior in volume, on the east. 

 In the low country, where the heat is intense and eva- 

 poration proportionate, they derive httle of their supply 

 from springs ; and the passing showers which fall scarcely 

 more than replace the moisture drawn by the sun from 

 the parched and thirsty soil. 



Hence in the plains there are comparatively few 

 rivulets or running streams ; the rivers there flow in 

 almost sohtaiy hues to the sea ; and the beds of their 

 minor affluents serve only to conduct to them the tor- 

 rents which descend at the change of each monsoon, 

 their channels at other times being exhausted and dry. 

 But in their course through the hills, and the broken 

 ground at their base, they are supphed by numerous 

 feeders, which convey to them the frequent showers 

 that fall in these liigh altitudes. Hence their tracks 

 are through some of the noblest scenery in the world ; 

 rushing through ravines and glens, and falhng over 

 precipitous rocks in the depths of wooded valleys, 



