i88 ISLAND OF CEYLON. 



FormofCey- The form and extent of the iile of Ceylon^ are very much 

 undetermined. The figure which is generally adopted in the 

 maps, is that of a pear, with the ftalk turned towards the 

 north. The length, from Dondra-head fouth, to Tellipeli north, 

 is about two hundred and eighty miles; the greateft breadth, 

 or from Colombo to Trincoli, is about a hundred and fixty. The 

 latitudes of the two extremes in length, are between 5° 50' o", 

 and 9° 51'. Its extremes of longitude are 79° 50', and 82° 10'. 



The ifland rifes from on every fide to the mountains, which 

 run in chains, principally from north to fouth. The higheft 



CoNDE Uda. and rudefl tra(5t is the kingdom of Conde Uda, which is imper- 

 vious, by reafon of rocks and forefls, except by narrow paths, 

 which are alfo impeded by gates of thorns, clofely watched by 

 guards. At the weflern fkirt of thefe mountains foars Hamalelly 



Adam's Peak, and, in the European language, Adam's Peak. It rifes pre-emi- 

 nent above all the reft, in form of a fugar loaf. Le Bntn, ii. 

 p. 81, gives a view as it appears from the fea. On the fummit 

 is a flat ftone, with an impreflion refembling a human foot, 

 two feet long, it is called that of our great and common anceftor. 

 The Cingalefc, or aborigines of Cey/on, fay that it is of Btiddo^ 

 their great deity, when he afcended into heaven, from whom 

 they expect falvation. The Mahometan tradition is, that Adam: 

 was caft down from Paradife (we make his Paradife an earthly 

 one) and fell on this fummit, and £^'^ near Judda, in Arabia, 

 They were feparated two hundred years, after which he found 

 his W'ife, and conducted her to his old retreat ; there he died, 

 and there he was buried, and there are two large tombs. To this 

 day many votaries vifit his imaginary fepulchre ; the Mabome^ 



tans. 



