145 
Descriptio?i of the Country around Cohwiho. 
One of the chief beauties in the neighbourhood of Columbo, 
is the immense number of cinnamon trees, which produce the 
riches of the island. In the woods they grow wild in abund- 
ance ; and in the gardens they are now regularly cultivated with 
the greatest success. 
On proceeding southward from Columbo, the large groves of 
cocoa-trees, which are equally refreshing from their fruit and 
their shade, still continue to skirt and shelter the road. It is 
therefore upon the whole pleasant to the traveller, although 
indeed the sand is somewhat fatiguing. The road lies quite by 
the sea-side for six miles, till we arrive at the small village 
of Galkiest, where there is a church for the accommodation of 
both the Dutch and Cinglese ; many of the natives having been 
converted to the Christian religion. 
From Galkiest to Pantura, a distance of twelve miles, the 
road is well shaded and pleasantly diversified by a part of the 
cinnamon gardens, which stretches across this tract. Pantura 
is a village with a church ; and barracks have been erected 
here for the troops to rest in occasionally, in their route from 
Columbo to Point de Galle. On our way hither, it is neces- 
sary to pass a river of considerable breadth, which runs into 
the sea close by. 
From Pantura to Caltura, a distance of ten miles, the whole 
country may be considered as one delightful grove ; and the 
road has entirely the appearance of a broad valk through a 
shady garden. Fev/ spaces of it are so much exposed as to 
allow even the hottest sun at noon-day to penetrate it. The 
grateful refreshment ' which such a road affords to a traveller in 
this sultry climate can only be conceived by those who have 
passed from Columbo to Caltura. The goodness of the roads 
U 
