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



The natives unanimously concur in stating, that at one time 

 the jungle pattus were much more healthy than at present, 

 and account for the change by the existence of numerous tanks, 

 then used for irrigation, but now neglected. 



Geology. 



The geology of the District presents little that is attractive, 

 except indeed to those who turn their attention to the minuter 

 varications in the older rocks. 



All along the sea-coast there are a series of horizontal beds 

 of sandstone, belonging in all probability to the present forma- 

 tion, and never elevated more than a very few feet above -the 

 present water level. The rock itself varies in structure, and 

 contains numerous enclosed shells and coral lines, apparently 

 identical with species existing in the neighbouring ocean. 

 The shells in many cases retain the enamel, and are in all 

 respects as perfect as if they had just been washed into the beach. 



At Karativu, fourteen miles to the North of Puttalam, there 

 .are various strata of calcareous rock, some friable as marl, 

 some highly indurated. These also undoubtedly belong to the 

 present formation. 



The soil of the maritime parts is in general sandy, but 

 interspersed with rich alluvial earth, potters' clay, and fresh 

 water marl of recent origin. Towards the interior, where the 

 isolated granite rocks previously mentioned appear, large 

 deposits of cabook gravel are met with. 



That changes in the relative positions of sea and land have 

 occurred here within the historic period, seems to be proved by 

 the existence of a tradition to the effect, that in the time of the 

 famed Queen Alliarasani, the Gulf of Kalpitiya had no opening 

 to the Northward, but communicated with the sea by a channel 

 running in the line of the present Chilaw Canal ; that the 

 Queen abovenamed used to proceed from Kudiremalai to the 

 Akkaraip-pattu by land ; and that a great flood came, buried 



