The opening of I. GEOLOGY.--MINERALOGY.--GEMS
I. General Aspect.
Singular beauty of the island
Its ancient renown in consequence
Fable of its "perfumed winds" (note)
Character of the scenery
II. Geographical Position
Ancient views regarding it amongst the Hindus,--"the Meridian of
Lanka"
Buddhist traditions of former submersions (note)
Errors as to the dimensions of Ceylon
Opinions of Onesicritus, Eratosthenes, Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy,
Agathemerus 8,
The Arabian geographers
Sumatra supposed to be Ceylon (note)
True latitude and longitude
General Eraser's map of Ceylon (note)
Geological formation
Adam's Bridge
Error of supposing Ceylon to be a detached fragment of India
III. The Mountain System
Remarkable hills, Mihintala and Sigiri
Little evidence of volcanic action
Rocks, gneiss
Rock temples
Laterite or "Cabook"
Ancient name Tamba-panni (note)
Coral formation
Extraordinary wells
Darwin's theory of coral wells examined (note)
The soil of Ceylon generally poor
"Patenas," their phenomena obscure
Rice lands between the hills
Soil of the plains, "Talawas"
IV. Metals.--Tin
Gold, nickel, cobalt
Quicksilver (note)
Iron
V. Minerals.--Anthracite, plumbago, kaolin, nitre caves
List of Ceylon minerals (note)
VI. Gems, ancient fame of
Rose-coloured quartz (note)
Mode of searching for gems
Rubies
Sapphire, topaz, garnet, and cinnamon stone, cat's-eye, amethyst,
moonstone 37,
Diamond not found in Ceylon (note)
Gem-finders and lapidaries …