168 Adam's peak. 



Arnold (" India Revisited," p. 300), female infanticide, 

 which fifty years ago was a common pi'actice in many 

 districts of India, has, it is feared, been again resumed. 

 Frequently a woman will marry three or four ]:)rothers, 

 all living under the same roof, thus saving the expense 

 of so many separate establishments. 



We must now, however, proceed on oui' joui-ney, the 

 contents of a green cocoanut and a few excellent oranges 

 having been despatched whilst waiting at the station. 

 Here the ascent commenced, and with the help of two 

 engines continued foi- more than an hour. During 

 that time we passed through lovely mountain scenery ; 

 at first the higher range appeared in the distance, in 

 the midst of which, on our right, the famous Adam's 

 Peak, the most prominent, although not the highest 

 point, which latter is the Pedrotallagalla, 8,230 feet, 

 besides two others somewhat lower. Adam's peak 

 rises 7,420 feet above sea-level, and on its summit the 

 priests have erected a hut, where they show the Sri- 

 pada or sacred footstep, sixty-four inches by thirty 

 inches. Here pilgrims assemble on special days in 

 large numbers. Adam, on leaving paradise, is said 

 to have touched the spot with one foot, according to 

 others Buddha did so, during one of his three visits to 

 the island. 



The mountains of Ceylon appear as spurs or separate 



