THE ISLAND OF CEYLON 315
here, the only one in the place; the living very cheap.
There is little trade at this place, excepting on account
of the Dutch Company. Topazes, amethysts, and other
precious stones are found on the island of Ceylon and
brought here for sale; but it is dangerous to purchase
them, when set, without being skilled in those com-
modities, the people who sell them being very expert
TEMPLE OP THE HOLT TOOTH OF BUDDHA AT KANDY, CEYLON.
in making, the false stones appear like true ones, by
colouring them at the bottom. No kind of spice, nut-
megs, or any other rarities for which this island is so
celebrated, are to be met with at this place; nor 'did
we, on our approach to the island, perceive any of those
odoriferous gales described by travellers as exhaling
from the cinnamon and other spices with which this
island abounds. The harbour is circular; at the en-
trance of it lie many rocks, just above the surface of
the water, which make it very dangerous for strange
ships to go in without a pilot; the waves beat with
