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



the Indian Government and became the Paumben channel. 

 " This led to the ruin of Mannar. For previously all vessels 

 came to the north or south bar and discharged cargo, which 

 was taken by dhonies and ballams through the chamiel and 

 then re-loaded. There was a large village at each bar ; these 

 disappeared when trade was diverted to Paumben, and the 

 importance of the Mannar Fort, as controlling the only channel 

 coastwise north and south." (Diary of Government Agent, 

 Northern Province, June 25, 1901.) 



With the construction of the Mannar Railway, Mannar may 

 regain some of its former importance, in which case the 

 Paumben Railway will restore what the Paumben channel 

 took away. 



I must not close these notes without a reference to the horse 

 breeding, which under the Portuguese gave the island a new 

 name, Ilha das Cavalhos, Isle of Horses. Under the Portuguese, 

 and after them under the Dutch, the whole island was given up 

 to it. In British times, for the first third of the 19th century, 

 the south of the island was reserved for horse breeding, and 

 the end of that century saw a revival of it, but in 1906 the 

 horse breeding establishment was finally abandoned. Exten- 

 sive ruins of stables at Sarappiddi and a mile or so west of the 

 Government bungalow on the north of the island, the latter 

 known as the "Thirty Pillars," still remain standing, gaunt 

 among the coral stones, the prickly pear, and the scattered 

 palmyra trees of the plains, to show on what an extensive 

 scale these operations were at one time carried on. 



In April, 1814 (Gazette), Governor and Mrs. Brownrigg were 

 to visit Delft from the pearl fishery. It does not appear 

 whether the visit was made, but there is no reason to suppose 

 that it was not. It is stated that " hemp* of remarkably good 

 quality is produced and wheat grown" in that island, "the 



* Six bales of hemp were sent from Delft to Colombo in September, 

 1813, and in July, 1814, one ton of hemp from Delft to Trincomalee. 

 In August, 1816, five bales were sent to Kayts. In July, 1814, there 

 were also sent to Trincomalee 130 poelams of ehoya root (Oldenlandia 

 umbellata). There is now no export of either. (There are six poelams 

 to a pound weight.) " At one time the culture of hemp was thought of 

 so much importance that it was introduced into Delft island, and 

 Lieut. Edward Nolan of the 3rd Ceylon Regiment appointed to superin- 

 tend it." — Bennett, loc. cit., p. 125. 



