38 



JOURNAL R. A. S, (CEYLON). [Vol. II., PART I. 



secondary ranges at the elevation of 1,700 feet in a South- 

 Easterly direction from the Peak zone, the crops are frequently 

 lost by the streams falling short before the North-East mon- 

 soon sets in. 



The yield of paddy is various, dependinguipon soil, climate, 

 and the nature of the soil through which the water for irrigation 

 passes : 48-fold has been produced in many parts of the 

 Me da Korale, whilst in the Kaduwiti Korale, from two to six- 

 fold only is taken from the land. 



There are many superstitions which are observed by the 

 Sinhalese in carrying on their cultivations, by inattention to 

 which they would despair of reaping a crop, or fear some 

 misfortune would overtake them. These superstitions mostly 

 have reference to times and seasons for beginning and ending 

 their various occupations, with the view of averting calamity 

 which they believe they might draw upon themselves by not 

 attending to these precautions. They hold it as unfortunate to 

 commence the work of cultivation on the 1st or 2nd day of 

 their mouth, and after the work is commenced it must be 

 desisted from at certain intervals. Thus, supposing that the 

 work was commenced on the 3rd of the month, it must not 

 continue over the 7th, to be resumed on the 10th, progressing 

 until the 13th, when an interval occurs until the 15th ; the cul- 

 tivation then goes on for seven days, to be discontinued one day 

 and carried on five days, which completes their month. The 

 foregoing describes the order of the observances, but the 

 commencement is always determined by a " lucky day," and 

 consultations with wise men, whose business it is to ascertain 

 the auspicious moments, are never omitted. Priests, though 

 frequently resorted to, are not the only persons in whom the 

 people place confidence as being able to discover the important 

 period. Learned men, so called, who have studied for the 

 purpose, are applied to in such cases, these are chiefly the priests 

 (Unndnsela), doctors (Wedar&lla), and devil-dancers (Kattdd'u) 



