40 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. [PART I. 



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 despatched through the post-office, or 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. Com- 

 puted in this way, the value of precious stones found in 

 the island may be estimated at about 10,000/. per annum. 



EIVEKS. From the mountainous configuration of the 

 country and the abundance of rain, 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, the rivers derive little of their 

 supply from springs ; and the passing showers do scarcely 

 more than replace the moisture drawn by the sun from 

 the parched and thirsty soil. 



Hence in the plains there are comparatively few rivu- 

 lets or running streams ; the rivers there flow in almost 

 solitary lines to the sea; and the beds of then: minor 

 affluents serve only to conduct to them the occasional 

 torrents 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 supplied by numerous 

 feeders, which convey to them the frequent showers 

 that fall in these high altitudes. Hence their tracks 

 are through some of the noblest scenery in the world ; 

 rushing through ravines and glens, and falling over 

 precipitous rocks in the depths of wooded valleys, 

 they exhibit a succession of rapids, cataracts, and torrents, 



