58 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XV. 



together by a reddish clay. The natives said that this 

 island formed part of the mainland, whence it was severed 

 by the heavy floods of 1838. The pit from which the 

 seamen washed the deposit was in the upper part of the 

 island, which divided the stream into two parts during the 

 monsoon. The deposit was from 2 to 3 ft. deep to the solid 

 rock bottom, 300 ft. long, and 70 ft. broad. The gold was 

 distributed throughout the island, but was more abundant 

 in the rock crevices. The specimen submitted for examina- 

 tion to Dr. Ellery, according to his report — 



weighed 1\ grains, and consisted of small pieces of yellowish 

 quartz, a black powder resembling coarse emery, and several scales 

 of yellow metallic-looking substance. The application of a magnetic 

 ore separated about one-third of the black powder, which consisted of 

 magnetic ore. One-half of the residue was acted upon by boiling in 

 nitric acid without effect ; the addition of muriatic acid dissolved the 

 metal, yielding a golden yellow solution. This, on the addition of the 

 subjoined tests, afforded the following results : — 



No. 1. — Chloride of tin gave a copious deep purple precipitate. 



No. 2. — Solution of sulphate of iron, a dark-brown looking precipi- 

 tate of metallic gold. 



No. 3. — A very weak solution of tincture of opium gave a bright 

 yellow transparent fluid. 



Dr. Ellery was of opinion, from the appearance of the 

 specimen and from the result of the chemical examination, 

 that it certainly contained gold. 



The discovery of gold created a regular furore. Crowds 

 of enterprising speculators and inquisitive visitors rushed 

 daily to the diggings for purposes of prospecting for gold or 

 witnessing the operations. Thereupon Government, with 

 more haste than discretion, issued a notice that the Superin- 

 tendent of Police (Macartney) had received instructions 



" not to allow any persons to dig, excavate, or to carry on any mining 

 operations under whatever name or pretext, with the exception of 

 the seven individuals already engaged with the cognizance of Govern- 

 ment, and of any other that may hereafter be especially licensed for 

 that purpose." 



Four days afterward, to wit, on the 17th of March, 1854, 

 a second Government Proclamation was published, informing 



