The appearances are very promising, for a handful of the earth on the surface will, by being washed, produce the value of a rupee.

A guard is set over it, and accounts sent express to the Madras Government."-- P.

53.

See also PERCIVAL'S _Ceylon_, p.

539.
JOINVILLE, in a MS, essay on _The Geology of Ceylon_, now in the library of the East India Company, says that near Trincomalie there is "un sable noir, compose de detriments de trappe et de cristaux de fer, _dans lequel on trouve par le lavage beaucoup de mercure_."] Remains of ancient furnaces are met with in all directions precisely similar to those still in use amongst the natives.