^6 Venei'al Geographical Description 
appearance than most parts of the !&Ialabar and Coromandel 
coasts. This I had an opportunity of observing in nearly 
every quarter, as on ray passage from Madras I almost com- 
pletely coasted round the island. All the flat tracts on the 
sea-sliore are bounded by beautiful topes, or groves of cocoa- 
nut trees, while the intermediate plain is covered with rich 
fields of rice; and the prospect usually terminates in woods 
which cover the sides of the mountains, and display a verdant 
foliage through every season of the year. Such a prospect 
has the most pleasing effect on the eye, after being fatigued 
■^vith the shores of barren white sand, which every where 
skirt the opposite continent. 
The appearance of the eastern coast is bold and rocky, and 
a few reefs of rocks run out into the sea on the south-east 
between Point de Galle and Batacolo. The deep water on the 
eastern shores admits the approach of the largest vessels in 
safety; and if that side of the island be the least fertile, its 
other defects are amply compensated by the harbours of Trin- 
comalee and Batacolo. Tlie north and north-west coast from 
Point Pedro to Coliimbo is flat, and every where indented 
with inlets of the sea, frequently of considerable magnitude. 
The largest of them extends almost quite across the island 
from Mullipatti to Jafnapatam on the north-west point of the 
island; and forms the peninsula of Jafnapatam. Several of 
these inlets form small harbours; but so full is that coast of 
sand-banks and shallows, that it is impossible for vessels of a 
large size to approach them. Small craft, however, find sta- 
tions liere sufficiently convenient and secure, except when the 
monsoons prevail. 
The interior of the island abounds with steep and lofty 
