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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON;. [Vol. VIII. 



and if not, it is just possible that this round coin is the 

 kahapana ; in which case the oblong coins are quarter 

 kahapanas. It seems likely that in earlier times both the 

 kahapana and its subdivisions were all oblong in Ceylon — 

 the shape being perhaps borrowed from the Far East — and 

 that in later years the more convenient round form was 

 adopted for them, copied perhaps, from the Greek money 

 which was already in circulation here, or from Greek money 

 introduced into India. 



With so great a difference as 17^ grains between the 

 weights of two specimens out of four of the presumed 

 quarter kahapana — one coin weighing only two-thirds of 

 the other — it may be imagined that the difference was still 

 more striking in other instances. The surprise which the 

 Simhalese King expressed to the freedman of Annius 

 Plocamus at the accuracy of the weights of the Roman 

 money can therefore be easily understood. Such an incident 

 is scarcely one that would be invented, and proof is now 

 afforded of the truthfulness of the statement made by the 

 ancient traveller.* 



Industries and Commerce. 

 Pottery. This appears to have been in an advanced state 

 in Ceylon 2,000 years ago, and many of the pieces of 

 earthenware which have been procured are of excellent 

 quality. The black and red varnish, with which most of the 

 plates and many of the smaller chatties were coated, has 

 already been referred to. One small fragment of a deep 

 red colour, taking a beautiful polish, may be specially 

 mentioned. Various kinds of ornamentation on the out- 

 sides of the ware are of common occurrence, especially on 

 the chatties, such as parallel and horizontal sunk lines, cross- 

 hatched lines, and diamond and other patterns of different 

 sizes and designs stamped in relief. Other fragments are 

 stamped in more elaborate designs, consisting, in the most 

 decorated pieces, of a complicated tracery in relief, set off 

 by something closely resembling gilding, which is now to 



* "Stupuisse scilicet regem pecuniam quse cum ipso capta fuerat, 

 quod tametsi signata disparibus foret vultibus, pareoi tamen haberat 

 modum ponderis." (Polyhistor, of Solinus, cap. LVI., De Taprobane 

 Insula, ed. II. Stephamis, 1577, p. 100.) 



