328 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XL 



outside the bay, was immediately despatched by the Admiral 

 to Batavia. From our ship were discharged the war pro- 

 visions, ammunition, and commissariat stores, which had been 

 much in the way ; these were taken ashore in small vessels. 

 We thus got the ship fit, roomy, light, and clean to receive 

 two to three hundred lasts of rice, and afterwards cinnamon, 

 which was put on board without accident, the first out of the 

 Moorish vessel, and the second from shore. 



Meanwhile,we had daily sufficient opportunities to inspect at 

 pleasure the town of Puncto gale and the country round. This 

 was the third time that I had come from another clime to this 

 fair and beautiful Island ; and thus I obtained the opportunity 

 which I desired of attentively and carefully examining and 

 briefly describing what is worthy of note concerning it. 



Firstly, therefore, as regards the position, extent, nature, 

 of the towns, forts, and villages : we will speak of them in a 

 plain and brief manner. 



This Island of Ceilon, which is held to be the ancient 

 Taprobane, not only by the Portuguese writer Johannes 

 Barrius* but also by many others, is one of the finest 

 and most celebrated islands of Asia, as well in respect of its 

 beauty, fertility, and pleasantness, as of its agreeable, mild 

 temperature, its situation, and the excellent advantages it 

 affords to foreigners, as well as to residents. It is the opinion 

 of many that it was in former times connected with the 

 mainland of India, where there still exists a rocky bank 

 called Adam's Bridge, of which we have already spoken. It 

 extends from the sixth to the tenth degree north of the 

 equator. To the north is the coast of Choromandel and the 

 sea of Bengal ; to the east, the south, and west, the shores and 

 banks are washed by the great ocean. This Island in shape 

 is nearly in the form of a ham. Some writers have declared 

 it to be 400 miles in extent, but in my opinion, taking its 

 length and breadth, it cannot be more than 240 miles in 

 circumference. I believe that owing to tempests, high seas, 



* Joao de Barros. — D. W. F. 



