CHAP. I.] 



SAND FORMATION. 



Few of the larger rivers have been bridged, except 

 those which intersect the great high roads from Point- 

 de-Galle to Colombo, and thence to Kandy. Near the 

 sea this has been effected by timber platforms, sustained 

 by piles sufficiently strong to withstand the force of the 

 floods at the change of each monsoon. A bridge of 

 boats connects each side of the Kalany, and on reach- 

 ing the Mahawelli-ganga at Peradenia, one of the 

 most picturesque structures on the island is a noble 

 bridge of a single arch, 205 feet in span, chiefly con- 

 structed of satin-wood, and thrown across the river by 

 General Fraser in 1832. It is also crossed by a suspen- 

 sion-bridge recently erected at Gampola. The principal 

 rivers have been bridged, between Kandy and Kornegalle. 



On reaching the margin of the sea, an appearance is 

 presented by the outline of the coast, near the em- 

 bouchures of the principal rivers, which is very remark- 

 able. It is common to both sides of the island, though 

 it has attained its greatest development on the east. 

 In order to comprehend its formation, it is necessary 

 to observe that Ceylon lies in the course of the ocean 

 currents of the Bay of Bengal, which run north or 

 south according to the pre- 

 valence of the monsoon, and 

 with greater or less velocity 

 in proportion to its force at 

 particular periods. 



In the beginning and dur- 

 ing the strength of the north- 

 east monsoon the current sets 

 strongly along the coast of 

 Coromandel to the southward, 

 a portion of it frequently en- 

 tering Palks Bay to the north of Ceylon ; but the main 

 stream keeping invariably to the east of the island, 



CURRENT IN THE N.E. MONSOON. 



face of the hills through which it 

 grinds, leaving the opposite side en- 

 tirely exempted, as if the poisonous 



vapour, being carried by the current 

 of air, affected only those aspects 

 against which it directly impinged. 



