CEYLON. 269 



8. Summary and Outlook. 



The available data are not sufficient to prepare a general 

 summary of home consumption, but it is stated that the mature 

 timber in the forests is roughly estimated at 14,000,000 cubic feet, 

 the present consumption about 190,000 cubic feet, and that the 

 available stock will suffice for the next 73 years. The local 

 authorities are also of opinion that the annual growth exceeds 

 the annual consumption. At the same time it is said that to 

 protect and develop the forest resources the following measures 

 are essential : — 



(1) The abolition of goats and prohibition of all grazing. 



(2) Systematic and efficient fire protection. 



(3) Artificial re-afforestation, not only of the areas cut over or 



burnt, but also of waste areas, of which there are about 

 300 square miles fit to produce Aleppo pine. 

 As a fourth measure may be mentioned the opening to traffic of 

 many forests which appear to be at present inaccessible. 



J. CEYLON. 

 1. Notes on Topography and Climate. 



Ceylon is situated between the 6th and 10th degree of northern 

 latitude and the 79th and 82nd degree of eastern longitude. It 

 has an area of 25,500 square miles and a population of 4,100,000 

 people, giving 161 to the square mile. 



Topography. — Ceylon has the shape of a pear, the northern 

 point of which almost touches the southernmost point of India. 

 There is a high tableland in the south-eastern part of the island 

 rising abruptly to 4,000 feet elevation ; it is divided by a higher 

 ridge running south to north, the highest peak of which rises to 

 8,000 feet above sea level. From the high plateau spurs run in 

 several directions, which only exceptionally attain a height of 

 3,000 feet. Apart from these spurs, the country to the south and 

 west of the plateau presents a series of low rocky ridges separated 

 by wide valleys, and gradually levelling down to the sea. To the 

 north and east of the tableland, comprising about three-fourths 

 of the island, the country consists of an undulating jungle-clad 

 plain, out of which rocky gneiss peaks rise abruptly. 



