THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
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with a violet colour. They seldom exceed the size of a 
walnut, but most commonly are found very small. Their 
value depends upon their size, and the deepness of their 
colour. It is often diminished by partial colouring, and 
spots or streaks of different tinges. They are formed, ac- 
cording to their sizes, into buttons of various descriptions. 
Stones, known by the name of tourmalins, though destitute 
of any electrical qualities, are found here, of various colours. 
The red tourmalin appears transparent only when it is held 
up against the light ; it then presents a pale red hue. The 
blue tourmalin is simply a slightly coloured quartz. The 
green tourmalin, or chrysoprase, is of a beautiful transparent 
grass colour, and much esteemed. The yellow or topaz 
tourmalin generally resembles amber, although it is sometimes 
found of a deeper colour. It is seldom larger than a pea, 
but looks very beautiful when set in rings. 
The topaz is chiefly found in yellowish splinters, and the 
shades of colour vary considerably. 
The blue saphire and the green sapliire are made into but- 
tons and rings. They vary from the palest to the deepest 
hues ; and the blue saphire is frequently unequal in its 
colour. 
White crystal is found in abundance. Yellow and brown 
crystals, only differing in colour, are also met with ; and the 
whole are used for buttons and other ornaments. 
The blaclc crystal is a species of shirk It presents a 
