180 



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



The smallest measure is a mita, ahura, a fistful, as much 

 as can be held in the closed hand. A common expression to 

 describe " a man of straw " is to say that he is not possessed 

 of a mita of land. This is very significant when we consider 

 that the sower sows in fistfuls. 



4 mitas = 1 atalossa, that is, a handful with the fingers slightly 

 bent inwards 



8 mitas = 1 pata, a handful with the fingers stretched out 



2 patas = 1 manawa, or dhota, or two handfuls 



2 manawas = 1 neliya, seruwa, or seer 



4 neli = 1 kuruniya, or laha 



4 lahas — 1 timba 

 7 lahas === 1 bushel 



5 kuruni = 1 bera, or parrah 

 2 beras = 1 pela 



4 pelas = 1 amuna 



6 bushels (5f more correctly) = 1 amuna 



6 pelas = 1 yel-amuna 



12 amuna = 1 yala 



The amuna varies in different parts of the Island. In the 

 Colombo District it is equal to about six bushels and is 

 reckoned at acres, but in the Central and North- Western 

 Provinces at 2 acres. 



The equivalents of these terms in English standard 

 measurement are as follows : — 

 1 amuna' s sowing extent = 2 or 2£ acres 9 (2 a. 2 sq. r. 37^ sq. p. 



The above terms apply to high as well as low lands, the 

 extent of the former being given in kurakkan and of the 

 latter in paddy sowing. For instance, the extent of 

 " Kahatagahamula-watta " will be given as " 1 laha kurak- 

 kan-sowing extent," while that of " Ratadelgaha-kumbura " 

 will be given as " 1 laha paddy-sowing extent." 



1 parrah's 

 1 bushel's 

 1 peck's 



1 pela's 

 1 laha's 



do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 



exactly) 



2 roods, or 2 r. 20 p. (2sq.r. 29f sq. p.) 

 10 perches, or lO^ sq. p. 



1 rood, or 1 r. and 10 p. 



2 roods 

 20 perches 



2^ perches 



