124 



POOTTOOR WELL. 



to south of the Peninsula is 20 miles, and its greatest length from 

 east to west 30 miles. 



The wells of Jaffna are subject to certain peculiarities. Their 

 general level appears to be affected by the state of the tides, not 

 however to such an extent as to cause a diurnal action. It is 

 however a well known fact that during the north-east monsoon the 

 wells of the district rise to their greatest height, and that height 

 diminishes as the force of the monsoon decreases. The large mass 

 of water in the Bay of Bengal affected by this monsoon causes the 

 level of the Jaffna lake to be affected to the extent of 18 inches in- 

 crease of tide, at the same time that the above-mentioned rise in 

 the wells occurs. Another fact is, that cultivators in digging irri- 

 gation wells are obliged to observe the greatest possible caution, 

 as after passing a certain depth the water becomes brackish, and 

 this peculiarity exists throughout the Peninsula. Again it is 

 equally curious to observe how closely fresh and salt water flow to- 

 gether without amalgamating. Whilst building a causeway at 

 Vannatipalam across the salt inlet, in this Poottoor district, the 

 foundations were laid in salt water, but close to this and in 

 the centre of the inlet fresh water could be obtained in several 

 places and in large quantities, although during freshes those 

 spots are covered with 3 or 4 feet of salt water. These facts may 

 prove of interest and of some use in considering any theory which 

 may be based upon the results of the experiments, hereafter to be 

 narrated. 



The Pootfpor well itself is a large rectangular pit in the lime- 

 stone rock, and its dimensions are about 40 feet in length by 25 in 

 width. A slope down to the water level has been made, as is com- 

 mon to all the artificial tanks of Ceylon and India. Tradition 

 connects it with some springs on the Coast near Tondamanaar, but 

 it is only tradition as it would be simply impossible to trace the 

 course or source of any springs in so level a country. The only pre- 

 vious experiments made were in 1824, when engines of considerable 

 power were employed, to raise water from the well, with a view of 

 irrigating the district, The only result obtained however was the 



