COCOA-NUT TREE. 299 



author of the rajah's sufferings, the Maha Yaka, 

 or great demon. 



The Kottah rajah (the image itself is now so 

 styled) objected to assist in person at any such 

 diabolical sacrifices, and however prejudiced his 

 people were in the belief of their eventual effi- 

 cacy, he himself preferred humbly to submit to 

 the decrees of that superior power from whom 

 alone the Maha Yaka could have derived domi- 

 nion, if he really possessed any, over the des- 

 tinies of mankind. At this period, the cocoa- 

 nut tree was not known in the interior of 

 Ceylon ; and to this day its scarcity is remarked 

 by every traveller who visits the interior of the 

 late Kandyan territory. 



The resigned, but suffering rajah, having, 

 with all due humility, paid his accustomed de- 

 votions, and offered sweet-smelling flowers, ac- 

 cording to the Budhoo religion,* and repeated 

 the Budha-Sarana,'!' fell into a sound sleep, 

 which lasted for several days. During his 



* Generally of Bignonia indica, Tabernoemontana, Jas- 

 minum odoratum, and zeylanicum and luteum ; Poljanthes 

 tuberosa, Nyctanthes arbor tristis, Michelia champaca, 

 Nerium odoratissimum, Mimosa arabica, and Lawsonia 

 inermis. 



f In worship of Budhoo, and acknowledgment of his being 

 the Omniscient. 



