123 



POOTTOOR WELL * 



It having been deemed desirable to investigate certain pheno- 

 mena in connection with this well, the following experiments Jwere 

 made. This paper will contain no attempts to explain these phe- 

 nomena, or to suggest any theory as a basis for discussion. Simply 

 narrating facts, I leave it for others to determine the cause of the 

 following effects. 



As a guide however, I will venture to give an outline description 

 of the Peninsula of Jaffna in which this well is situated, and of the 

 appearance of the well itself with some general remarks on pecu- 

 liarities noticeable in most of the wells of the Jaffna Peninsula. 



The Jaffna Peninsula would appear to have been a comparatively 

 recent formation and principally formed by gradual coral deposits. 

 There would however seem to have been at some period or other, a 

 volcanic agency which has upheaved strata of an earlier period, as 

 the surface of large tracts consists of magnesian limestone, in which 

 (whether worn or otherwise I cannot say) exist numerous fissures 

 affording easy passage for an abundant supply of fresh water, 

 within a very few feet of the surface. 



This Peninsula is so free from elevations of any kind that the 

 highest point found in its cross section was only 35 feet above low 

 water level. Elevated ground is found at both sides near the sea, 

 from which points the ground declines again leaving a table land 

 almost entirely level 13 or 14 miles in extent, at an elevation above 

 low water level of only 4 feet. This peculiarity during spring tides 

 (of the North-east monsoon particularly) allows the sea to flow up 

 numerous inlets, which seam the Peninsula in every direction and 

 which rise during freshes to a height of 3 or 4 feet, and afford abun- 

 dant opportunity for the manufacture of salt. It is worthy too of 

 consideration in connection with the subject ol the well, that, on 

 subsiding, large deposits of naturally formed salt are left, which 

 remain on the beds of the inlets throughout the year. Before leav- 

 ing this subject, I might mention that the greatest width from north 



* I have been unable to find out the name of the author of this paper. 



