THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
357 
the Gulph of Ormus and the coasts of Arabia, they are 
not so highly esteemed by the natives, who are more par- 
tial to those of a yellowish or golden cast. 
Lead, tin, and iron ores are found in the interior, 
but they are never wrought or applied to any pur- 
pose. 
There were several mines of quicksilver wrought by 
the Dutch in Ceylon. I11 1797, Colonel Bobertson found 
out one at Cotta, about six miles from Columbo. The 
quantity we procured from it did not exceed six pounds, 
but it afforded a most useful and seasonable supply to the 
garrison, as at that particular time all we had was exhausted, 
and mercury was the principal remedy resorted to in all 
liver complaints. 
Although some quicksilver was still procured from this 
mine, yet the labour and expence attending it was so great, 
owing to the want of experienced and skilful workmen, 
that it was judged proper to give up working it altogether 
before I left the island. I have since been informed that 
the undertaking has been resumed at the same place with 
more success. 
In this article of quicksilver we had a remarkable in- 
stance of the secrecy with which the Dutch carried on all 
their transactions in this island ; for previous to the dis- 
covery of the mine at Cotta, we never knew that this 
mineral had ever been found here, nor did any of the 
Dutch inhabitants ever hint the circumstance to us, al- 
