CHAPTER 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 VII.