356 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
for sale in all different states, both polished and unpolished; 
but most usually they have them set in rings of various 
shapes, in breast pins, crosses, and other ornaments of the 
same description. At particular seasons of the year, the 
Europeans are obliged to be on their guard against these 
troublesome fellows, who are almost all perfect vagabonds, 
and infest the houses with the double purpose of disposing 
of their wares, and carrying off any loose article that 
comes in their way. 
These fellows are often at a loss for purchasers, and at 
times a very valuable stone may be got from them for a 
trifle. But a person requires to be very cautious in deal- 
ing with them, as they are apt to impose upon him with 
pieces of glass or inferior stones, which they cut and as- 
similate to the more valuable ones with such dexterity, 
that it requires considerable skill to distinguish the one 
from the other. 
The black merchants often encounter much labour and 
many dangers in procuring the stones. It is not unusual 
for them under various pretences to go into the Candian 
territories, and carry them off privately from the natives 
at the risk of their lives. 
With regard to the pearls, which form so considerable an 
article of revenue and traffic in Ceylon, I have already 
given so full an account of them in describing that part 
of the coast where they are found, that it is unnecessary 
to add any thing here. As they are whiter than those of 
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