No. 6. — 1853.] DISTRICT OF CHILAW AND PUTTALAM. 33 



(2.) The'second into twelve (A'nawulundawa and Munnas- 

 sararoa pattus of Demala-pattu, Chi law, Demala, Munnas- 

 sararna, and A'nawulundawa Pattus of Chilaw-pattu ; Kumara- 

 wanni, Pandita, Perawili, Karambe, Rajawanni, and Kirimetiya 

 Pattus). 



(3.) The last into four: namely, Yagam, Meda Palata, 

 O'tara Palata, and Kamala Pattu. 



Populition. 



The entire population, as obtained from the official returns 

 of last year, is 38,370. 



It would appear from statements now before me, that the 

 number of males exceeds that of females by about eight per 

 cent. That this difference really exists is improbable; the 

 mistake is caused in part by those feelings, which have hitherto 

 made it all but impossible to obtain correct statistical returns 

 in Ceylon, (namely, a dread that every census is the prelude to 

 increased taxation, and a superstitious dislike to any numbering 

 of the people); and in part, because females are regarded in so 

 degraded a light, that if care be not taken, they are on such 

 occasions altogether omitted. The excellent Ordinance con- 

 cerning statute labour, which is soon to come into force, will, 

 among other advantages, also have this — that it will much 

 facilitate the drawing up of correct population returns. 



Rivers. 



There are no navigable rivers in the District. The most 

 important are the Kala-oya, Deduru-oya, and Kadupiti- 

 oya. Of these, the two latter are the only ones which are not 

 entirely dry during several months of each year ; but even this 

 pre-eminence is, I think, due to their channels being so horizontal 

 and so low for some miles above their embouchures, that the 

 water of the sea penetrates far inland. During the dry season 

 there is consequently little or no current. 



The Kadupiti-oya, from Madampe to about two miles 



