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



on the Geology of Nuwara Eliya, by Dr. Kelaart, will perhaps 

 prove of higher interest, as they treat of a formation which now 

 engages the attention of Indian geologists. 



Connected with ancient Oriental literature and history, a very 

 able sketch has been laid before the Society by Mr. Alwis, on the 

 Elu or ancient Sinhalese poetry. A valuable catalogue of books 

 in the Tamil language, and a sketch of the Tamil systems 

 of the Natural History, have been presented by Mr. Casie Chitty, 

 and some interesting notes by Dr. Macvicar on the Gansabhawa 

 or village councils of the Sinhalese. With regard to this last 

 Paper, your Committee regret that insuperable obstacles are raised 

 against its publication by the author ; and your Committee 

 deem they would scarce do justice to it did they attempt to give 

 an outline of its contents. Your Committee have also to acknow- 

 ledge while on this subject the receipt of another rock inscription 

 taken by Mr. Brodie from the celebrated Vihare at Mihintale. 



The other Papers presented to the Society concern the industrial 

 economy and the resources of the Island at the present day. 

 Under this head your Committee have to enumerate a Catalogue 

 of Woods, the growth of the Island, by John Capper, Esq.; 

 on the Coffee Plant and its appropriate Manure, by Dr. Gygax ; 

 on the Manufacture of Sugar from the Sap of the Cocoanut Tree, 

 by the Messrs. Taylor of Batticaloa. 



But the most important topic, and the last, which has engaged 

 the attention of the Society, is a project for forming and sending 

 to England a collection of objects calculated to represent the 

 industry of Ceylon in the great exposition of the works of 

 industry of all nations, to be held in 1851. 



In this your Committee can report but little progress, as the 

 project has engaged the attention of the Society for only a short 

 time. But their views have already been laid before the 

 Government, and they have to acknowledge the promptness and 

 liberality with which they have been met. 



The circular now laid on the table details the objects your 

 Committee have in view. It is already printed at the expense of 

 Government in the Sinhalese, Tamil, and English languages, and 

 circulated under their auspices to the Government Agents and 

 headmen of the Island. Your Committee have further to ack- 

 nowledge a promise of the most ample pecuniary and other 

 assistance from His Excellency the Governor in carrying out 

 the scheme. They would, in conclusion, commend it to the best 

 consideration of the Society and its individual Members. They 

 trust that no efforts will be wanting on their part towards carry- 

 ing out to the fullest what is already so auspiciously begun, and 

 hope that the present opportunity may not be lost for extending 

 the influence of the Society, and making widely known the 

 interest which they take in all that concerns the public good. 



Resolved, that the Report as now read be adopted. 



