192 PEARL FISHERIES. 



district, are the finest in the world ; also tlie ruby and 

 the carbuncle, the cinnamon and the moon stone ; 

 the garnet and the amethyst, are very plentiful in 

 the central range of hills, in the BaduUa and Newere 

 EUia districts. 



The famous pearl fisheries are in the Bay of Jaffna^ 

 the extreme north-west point of Ceylon ; they have 

 been very unremunerative for many years past ; but 

 now, beds having been laid down some years ago, the 

 Government expects better results at an early period. 

 Prices at the annual auction have of late years- 

 averaged about a rupee for every hundred oysters ;. 

 this shows what risk purchasers run. 



There is an exceedingly pretty drive from Galle 

 through forests of tropical growth to Wakaila, a little 

 elevated plateau, whence there is an extensive view of 

 the broad fertile plain, watered by the silvery Gindura, 

 stretching for many miles in an easterly direction, 

 and gradually fading away amongst the distant 

 miountains. En route I inspected a cinnamon garden, 

 which also contained a great many rambutan and 

 bread fruit trees, also the traveller's palm. 



The " Emu " ss., having arrived to take up 

 passengers for Singapore, I bid farewell to this 

 magnificent island, and, entrusting myself and baggage 



