60 General Geographical Description 
But these rivers, although unusually smooth at their imme- 
diate outlet into the sea, are seldom navigable to any consider- 
able distance. As soon as they enter the mountains which cover 
the native kingdom of Candy, they become rocky and rapid; 
and tumble down with such a headlono; course that it is almost 
impossible for the smallest canoe to navigate them. This is 
one great cause of the little intercourse which subsists between 
the natives in the higher country and those wlio live under the 
dominion of the Europeans on the sea-coast, as the way by 
land is equally difficult, nor have the natives been ever anxious 
to surmount these obstacles. 
The two principal rivers are the IMalivagonga and the Mu- 
liwaddy. The former takes its rise among the hills to the 
south-east of Candy, and nearly surrounds that city. After a 
variety of circuitous windings among the mountains, it at last 
discharges itself into the sea at Trincomalee. This river is so 
deep as to be fordable only towards the source ; but the rocks 
which every where break its course prevent it from being na- 
vigated, The latter rises from the foot of a very high moun- 
tain, known to Europeans by the name of Adam’s Peak, and 
situated about sixty miles to the north-east of Colombo. This 
river falls into the sea by several branches near Columbo, Ni- 
gumbo, Pantura, Caltura, &c. The largest of these, called the 
Mutwal River or Calana Ganga, empties itself about thi'ee 
miles from the fort of Columbo, after having nearly surrounded 
a large tract of the level country in that neighbourhood, of 
which it forms a very beautiful peninsula. The country along 
the banks of the Mutwal for many miles is extremely pic- 
turesque and delightful ; and I had an opportunity of experienc- 
ing its utility in accompanying an escort from Columbo to 
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