152 
Matura. 
])OLiriiig heights Adam’s Peak is very plainly seen, and several 
of the hills in the interior. Fisheries to a very considerable ex- 
tent are carried on here, and indeed form the chief branch 
of its traffic. A vast number of Afalays and natives are em- 
ployed in catching, curing, and drying the fish to prepare it 
for exportation to different parts of the continent of India. 
Arrack, oil, pepper, cotton, and cardamoms, also form a part of 
its exports. Cinnamon is also grown here, but not in such 
quantity as about Columbo : in quality, it is much the same. 
One of the India ships touches here annually, either before or 
after she has taken in part of her cargo at Columbo, to carry 
off what cinnamon is prepared for exportation. 
About twenty miles to the southward lies Billigamme, on a 
bay formed by an indent of the coast. It is much inhabited 
by fishermen whose houses are very pleasantly situated among 
a number of cocoa-tree topes which highly embellish the face 
of the country. 
Thirty miles onward from Point de Galle lies Matura, a cap- 
tain’s command. The fort and village are both small; the country 
round is exceedingly wild, but well supplied with provisions of 
all sorts; and game, in particular, is here found in great abun- 
dance. The house for the commandant is tolerably good, con- 
viently and agreeably situated near the river, which is broad 
here, and runs into the sea at a small distance. Although this 
fort is within the district of Columbo, yet it is only subject 
to the orders of the governor-general ; and the same is the case 
with Caltuia, Nigumbo, and Alanaar. 
The country around Alatura abounds with elephants ; and it 
is here that they are principally caught for exportation. Every 
tliree or four years the elephant is hunted here, by order of go- 
