330 
ANDAPANE. 
length landed on a barren spit of sand, on one side of which was 
the sea, and on the other a salt-water river. It forms a part of the 
singular island of Navekarre. This has all the appearance of having 
formerly been covered by the sea which, I think, extended over 
the salt water lagune, and washed its eastern bank, where vegeta- 
tion, even now, is only commencing. Near this is the little town 
of Chilaw, opposite to which Mr. North discovered a small pearl 
bank, that on trial yielded little. Some very beautiful madrepores 
are found here. The country was perfectly flat ; not a hill in sight, 
or a lofty tree. We had to cross another salt-water inlet, which 
took up some time, so that we did not arrive at Andapane, a 
distance of twelve miles, till eleven at night. It is a solitary house 
built for the tappal * boys to stay at ; nor should we have procured 
any thing, had not our friend sent on his servants and an excellent 
dinner. We slept in our palanquins within the house, which 
sheltered us from several very heavy showers that fell in the 
course of the night. 
January 1 7 . — It was a drizzly morning and very cold : I waited till 
eight for it to clear up, but without success. The road was along a 
perfect flat, intersected by salt marshes and rivulets; and the men 
were incessantly up to their ancles in water and mud ; no wonder 
therefore that we only crawled along. By a list of stages with which 
I was furnished, a village of the name of Nadrane Colore ought to 
have appeared at the distance of twelve miles, where I intended to 
have breakfasted and rested my men ; but it never came in sight ; 
and till three o'clock I saw not a human being but our own people. 
The tracks of elephants were frequent, as they had passed froni 
* The boys that carry the post letters, from one station to another. 
