83 
Island of Manaar. 
As we proceed along the coast of Ceylon from Manaar, we 
iind the country sandy, wild, and barren ; equally destitute of 
accommodation and provisions. The woods are so infested with 
wild animals, that it is extremely dangerous to travel along the 
roads here without a proper guard. The traveller no lon- 
ger perceives those high eminences which diversify tlie north- 
west and south-east of the island. The sea. is skirted by a 
tract of low flat sand ; but farther inland there are rice and 
paddy fields with some scattered houses. This appearance con- 
tinues about thirty miles to the southward of Manaar, when 
the wood and jungle again begin to approach to the shore, and 
to cover the wliole surface of the country, till at Chilou the 
cinnamon woods shew the commencement of the district of Ni- 
gumbo. At Mantotte, near Manaar, there are some remains 
of antiquity. A Gentoo city is said to have stood there, and 
to have been built by a colony of that harmless people who 
took refuge here. The vestiges of the embankment of a tank, 
and a number of brick ruins still remain. 
About twelve miles onward from Manaar, we meet with the 
village of Arippo, where the civil and military officers who 
attend the pearl fishery reside during the season when it is 
carried on. They have built here for their accommodation a 
choultry, or stone barracks, which also serves for the reception 
of occasional travellers. During the pearl fishery, a detachment, 
usually of Sepoys from the garrison of Manaar or Columbo, 
is stationed here to protect the pearl merchants, and prevent 
depredations or riots. They are also found necessary to enforce 
the orders of the gentleman appointed by government to super- 
intend this department. A flag-staff and a field-piece are at- 
M 2 
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