THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
221 
larly those most conversant with Europeans, venture to drink 
arrack ; and all ranks use toddy, as well for medicine as for 
the sake of the liquor itself. The vessels which they em- 
ploy to hold the juice of the palmyra and cocoa-tree, is a 
rind of the betel-tree, which forms a coating over the 
leaves ; in colour and texture it resembles bleached 
sheep-skin, and is fully as strong, and much better adapted 
for retaining liquor. Fowls are brought to market in great 
abundance: a good fowl sells at from four-pence to eight- 
pence ; eggs at two-pence a dozen ; and a good dish of fish 
may be bought at from one-penny to two-pence, according 
to the state of the market. 
As the Cinglese live under the protection of the British 
Government, they are also subjected to our laws and forms 
of administering justice, except in a very few points, in which 
their ancient customs, as they do not materially interfere 
with our modes, are permitted to be retained. The same 
laws of inheritance remain in force among all the Ceylonese: 
the lands descend to the eldest son, if the father makes no 
will ; but a certain proportion of the property must always 
go to the maintenance of the widow and the younger 
children. 
The Cinglese under our dominion are governed by their 
native magistrates, only the supreme controlling power always 
resides in the servants of our government. All our possessions 
on the island are divided into codes and districts, the subor- 
dinate superintendence of which is given to the Moodeliers, 
