CEYLON BRANCH ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 10i 



with the sea, and consists of the following portions as shewn ira 



the accompanying sketch. 



A. A canal (dllei ^$fcr) serving the double purpose- 

 of connecting the sea with the salt-pans, and of con- 

 veying up to the latter, the bo^ts in which their pro- 

 duce is transported. 



B. B. Small canals communicating with A., and carried 



along the whole extent of the pans to supply them 

 with water, called Per-oMei Q i_, a n for . 



C. C. Large reservoirs called Kdtchoo-pahtfhi ^/rfr^-cj 



m which water undergoes a prepara- 

 tory process., 



D.D.D. Secondary channels or Kayallei ^mtu^srr receiving 

 water from C.C. and distributing it to the small beds* 

 B.E. The small beds called Uppoopatty e L. L/uff jf^ 

 in which the crystallisation takes place, and which are 

 on a somewhat lower level than the kahtscbupahti. 



F. F. Raised ways separating the various sets of pans, 



serving also as means of communication. 



G. G. Small heaps of salt placed on F.F. immediately after 



being raised out of the pans. 



H. H. Kottoos or huts in which the salt is stored by the 



natives till received over by Government. 

 I. Government stores, whence the salt is issued to re- 

 tailers and purchasers from other districts. 

 K.K. Low dams dividing in half each set of small pans,, 

 used as a means of communication and for other pur=* 

 poses to be mentioned hereafter. 



It will be observed that one large reservoir supplies water 

 to 30 or 40 small beds, and with these may be looked ora 

 as forming a set, called a weikal ; it is in general either the 

 property of one individual or of various persons acting in par£« 

 $ership 9 The whole process may be thus described* 



