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THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
CHAPTER XVI. 
Minerals of Ceylon. 
The minerals of Ceylon are numerous, and the island has 
long been particularly famous for its precious stones, of which 
we find not less than about twenty different sorts. I was 
enabled to procure specimens of them all, which I brought 
home with me to Europe, both in a rough and polished 
state. 
The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond o Ceylon or Ma- 
tura, are not by any means so valuable as those of Golconda 
or the Brazils. The saphire, amethyst, aqua marine, and 
tourmalin, are on the contrary equal to those of any other 
country. 
The diamond of Ceylon is seldom completely transparent, 
but generally appears of a milky colour. Burning has the 
effect of rendering it somewhat purer. It is cut for rings 
and buttons, in which I have already said the Ceylonese are 
very expensive. As it is found in great abundance, it is not 
by any means high-priced here. 
The ruby is esteemed according to its clearness, the deep- 
ness of its red, and its freedom from flaws. These stones 
are seldom found of any considerable size in Ceylon ; and 
most frequently are no larger than grains of barley. 
The amethysts are merely pieces of mountain crystal, tinged 
