NO. 48. — 1897.] GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 



75 



The average quantity sold to retailers annually is about 10,000 bushels, 

 which yield a revenue of £1,333. Qs. Sd. The average cost of every 

 bushel to Government is about Q^d., whilst it is retailed at the uniform 

 rate of 2s, 6d. per bushel. The entire operation is left to private 

 enterprise, with only a Government supervision to prevent any 

 contraband trade.* 



The salt collected in the North- Western Province varies in colour 

 from pure white to dull gray or reddish, according to the impurities 

 contained in it ; it appears in the form of a confused crystalline mass, 

 consisting of hollow quadrilateral pyramids with graduated surfaces 

 {pied demouche) and of cubes. The large grained salt is generally 

 preferred, as it does not absorb moisture from the atmosphere so 

 rapidly as that which is in smaller crystals. It is to be observed that 

 the former is obtained in the first crop, the latter in those which 

 succeed ; and no one can feel astonished that these latter should 

 prove impure, when it is remembered that all except the first crops are 

 procured from a mixture of sea water with the previously obtained 

 residuary solution of various limes and magnesia salts. The natives 

 have observed the difference in appearance of the various salts 

 procured at the different crops, but do not seem to be aware that a 

 most impure article is obtained by mixing all together.f 



When the Dutch held sway in the Island the manufacture 

 of salt was left in the hands of the natives, who were, however, 

 bound to give a certain portion of the produce to the various 

 officials under the name of mesai uppu or " table salt." The 

 price at that time varied from three to four-eighths of a penny 

 per bushel. Under the English rule the manufacture is a 

 Government monopoly. Although it is left to private parties 

 they are prohibited from selling or using it. Government 

 use to buy the salt at the fixed rate of 2^d. per bushel from 

 the purchaser and sell it at 2s. Sd. per bushel. The present 

 rates are 19 cents per cwt., and the Crown in its turn 

 disposes of it at the rate of Rs. 2*36 per cwt. 



The modus operandi adopted in the manufacture is as 

 simple as it is unique. Unlike the natural lewayas in the 

 Hambantota District, the salt pans have to be prepared 

 artificially after the manner of paddy fields. The ground, 



* " Notes on the Topography of Chilaw," by T. F. Garvin, Colonial 

 Medical Service, Ceylon Miscellany, March, 1854, p. 307. 

 f Journal, C.B.E.A.S., No. 3, 1847-18, p. 112. 



