82 CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY., 



never attained a greater height than 7 feet. The same may- 

 be remarked in reference to the register of the previous year 

 which when completed will shew a much more regular rise 

 and fall in the river than was wont to be the case previ- 

 ous to 1845. 



This difference is easily accounted for by the construction of 

 a large sluice or conduit across the high road leading from 

 Grand-Pass to the Bridge of Boats, which affording a ready 

 egress to the great mass of water which during the mon- 

 soon rains are apt to accumulate in the low country, pre- 

 vents the destructive inundations which used previously to 

 occur. 



Most of us remember the distress caused by the inundation 

 of the year 1844: since that time we have had rain equally 

 heavy and continued, but the effects have been mitigated by 

 the prudent drainage alluded to, and which placed as it is 

 where the mischief used to be the greatest, affords ample 

 means for the waters to find their way down to the mouth 

 of the river. 



