Religion of the Ceylonese. S25 
posed to be found in an impression on the summit of the 
mountain resembling the print of a man’s foot, but more than 
double the ordinary size. After taking this farewell view, the 
father of mankind is said to have gone over to the continent 
of India, which was at that time joined to the island ; but no 
sooner had he passed Adam’s Bridge, than the sea closed be- 
hind him and cut off all hopes of return. This tradition, from 
whatever source it was originally derived, seems to be inter- 
w’oven with their earliest notions of religion, and it is difficult 
to conceive that it could have been engrafted on them with- 
out forming an original part. I have frequently had the curi- 
osity to enquire of black men of different casts concerning this 
tradition of Adam. All of them with every appearance of be- 
lief assured me that it was really true, and in support of it 
produced a variety of testimonies, old sayings and prophecies 
which have for ages been current among them. The origin of 
these traditions I do not pretend to trace, but their connec- 
tion with scriptural history is very evident; and they afford a 
new instance how universally the opinions with respect to the 
origin of man coincide with the history of that event as re- 
corded in the bible. 
A large chain, said also to be the workmanship of Adam, is 
fixed in a rock near the summit of the mountain. It has the 
appearance of having been placed there at a very distant period ; 
but who really placed it there, or for what purpose, it is im- 
possible for any European to trace amidst the confused and un- 
intelligible superstitions which the natives have mingled witli 
their obscure traditions. 
The ascent of the mountain is exceedingly steep and difficult, 
and in some parts near the summit the devotees are obliged 
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