THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
rig 
which they make their way through underwood and Lushes, 
that appear impenetrable, is very surprising. 
Certain native manufactures are carried on to a considerable 
extent around Caltura. A great quantity of arrack in par- 
ticular is made from the groves of cocoa-trees, which extend 
several miles in every direction, and from Coiumbo to Cal- 
tura, and several miles beyond it, form one continued grove. 
There is also a large plantation of sugar canes here, and a 
distillery of rum carried on by some Dutchmen, who reside 
in the village and neighbourhood. It is however very much 
inferior in quality to the West India rum. 
Six miles onward from Caltura lies Barbareen, a" small vil- 
lage,- with a sort of harbour formed by a projection of land 
where the river runs into the sea. This is almost the only 
place where the high surf and rocky shore on this coast per- 
mits ship-boats of the European construction to land. 
This place was signalized by a shocking catastrophe, which 
took place here in 1795- A boat from his Majesty's ship 
Orpheus having been sent in here to procure fresh provisions* 
the sailors, confiding in the peace which then subsisted between 
the British and Dutch governments, came ashore without any 
apprehension, and began to look out for water, a few fowls, 
and vegetables. They were at first received with much appa- 
rent civility, and many promises that they should be plenti- 
fully supplied with the articles they required. This, however, 
was only intended to amuse them, while a party of Malays 
stole unperceived between them and the boat, and fell upon 
S 
