106 CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SbeiETT, 



The salt collected in the north-western province varies in cc$s 

 lour from pure white to dull grey or reddish, according to the 

 impurities coi tail ed in it; it appears in the form of a con^» 

 fused cry star] hie mrss consisting of hollow quadril. teral pyramids 

 "With graduated surfaces (pitd de mouche) and of cubes. The 

 large graiiled salt is generally preferred, as it dots not absorb 

 moisture from the atmosphere so rapidly as that which is in 

 smaller crystals. It is to be observed that the former is ob- 

 tained in the iiist crop, the latter in those which succeed ; and 

 Xio one can feel astonished that these latter should prove im- 

 pure, when it is remembered, that all except the first crops, are 

 procured from a mixture of sea-water with the previously ob- 

 tained residuary solution of various lime and magnesia salts. 



The natives have observed the difference in appearance of 

 the various salts procured at the different crops, but do not 

 seem to be aware that a most impure article is obtained by 

 taixing all together. 



The manufacture of salt in Ceylon being a Government md= 

 BopoTy, being cne of great importance, and one which it is not 

 ®t present considered prudent to discontinue, (the preserit average 

 annual produce may be reckoned at two hundred and fifty thou- 

 sard bushels in the Chilaw and Putlara districts), many res- 

 trictions are necessarily required which undoubtedly tend to 

 check improvement ; even the fact of having one fixed rate of 

 purchase must prevent any competition as to superior pu- 

 rity; were the pans placed in the hands of intelligent capita- 

 lists, who should have access to their works at all hours and 

 should be at liberty to make such experiments a^ they d emed 

 necessary, there can be no doubt that the total value of the pro- 

 ducts would be much increased. 



Were it, on the other hand, possible very materially to reduce 

 the price at which this article is sold, the consumption would 

 probably much increase; not indeed by the direct use of in- 

 dividuals, but by its employment as a manure, and for the pur* 



