334 
MARCHICOTTI. 
the outside, covered only by a slight piece of cloth, which was per« 
fectly wet by the dew. 
January 20. — I awoke just as we were quitting the lagune to 
enter the sea ; the northern point of the island of Kurnardivo, which 
nearly joins the greater island, being a little astern, and the head 
land of Kudrah Malle being before us. This last is the point of direc- 
tion for the diving boats as they return to Condotchi, from which 
it is distant about twenty miles. The sea was perfectly smooth, and 
the breeze carried us round the head land, which is high, and bears 
evident marks of the violent sea that breaks on it in the S.W. 
monsoon. The wind did not change till eleven o'clock, by which; 
time we reached a river distant about six miles from Marchicotti : 
here we found many huts erected by fishermen that come annually 
from Columbo to fish, under the control of a head man. They salt 
what they take, and return with it at the end of the season. The 
river had a bar, over which we got with some difficulty. The 
alligators of all sizes were in great abundance : my servant made a 
ball enter one, and shot at several others as they were basking asleep 
on the sand, but they all escaped into the water. About five the 
fishing boats came back ; they were built like those on the southern 
coast, but larger, formed out of a single tree hollowed, with sides 
a foot high sewed on, and an out rigger, to which the ropes were 
fastened. The breeze was fresh, and their sails large ; they there- 
fore came on very fast, and had a pretty effect. They would not 
sell us any fish, but gave one, for which we gave them money in 
return. 
January 21. — I awoke about six, after a very comfortable night's 
rest, and found that we had passed Condotchi, and were close to 
