General Character of the Exhibits.

The Products of Cultivation stand first, since the Sinhalese have from the earliest ages attached the greatest importance to agriculture.

Great tanks for collecting the rain water for irrigation were commenced as early as 500 B.C., one of which, that of Kaluwewa, had an area of over forty miles in circumference.

The Art Ware is inferior to that of India. The carriages exhibited are made for exportation, from Ceylon woods, under the direction of Englishmen.

Products of Cultivation—Good results of educated enterprise.—At one time the Sinhalese appeared to conceive that the production of spices was their special duty to humanity.

Coffee was introduced by British influence, and before thirty years had passed good coffee properties were sold at from £90 to £130 an acre.

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Cinchona Bark, from which Quinine is obtained, was next introduced; the exports in 1875 were 18,731 lbs.; in 1885, 11,678,360 lbs.

Tea Cultivation was next attempted; the exports in 1876 were 282 lbs.; in 1885, 3,799,684 lbs.

Cacao cultivation followed; the exports in 1876 were 282 lbs.; in 1885, 3,799,684 lbs.

A fungus has during the last few years injured the trees, and the production has greatly declined.

Spices.—Cinnamon, the culture of which is one of the earliest native industries. Cardamoms—Nutmegs—Mace—Cloves—Pepper.

Medicinal and Medicines. See the collection of the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. More than five or six hundred different causes of disease are recognised in Sinhalese Medicines.

Oil Seeds and Oils. See Notes on India. Citronella oil from citronella grass, lemon grass oil, oil of cinnamon, are valuable as perfumes, and are largely exported.

Dyes.—Orchella weed, a lichen which grows on the stems of cocoanut palms. Sapanwood—Arnatto.

Fibres.—Coir from the cocoanut, exported as yarn for filling mattresses, and also in the form of fibre.

Mats, Baskets and Rattan Work.—Specimens may be purchased.

Gems. See large Collection.

Ceylon was called by the Chinese "The island of jewels;" by the Greeks "The land of the hyacinth and ruby." Some suppose that hither the ships of Solomon came for gold and silver, ivory and apes, and the almug trees and precious stones.

The Plumbago Exhibits, near the entrance, are worth a passing glance. Notice the uses of Plumbago.

Products of Cocoanut Palm, in two collections, well worth an inspection.

Uses of Cocoanut Palm: Wood—Material for house, furniture, canoe. Nut shell—Spoons, forks, basins, mugs, salt cellars, children's money-box. Leaves—Thatch, dinner plates, torches. Fibre (coir)—Rope, string for nets in which babies swing, fishing nets. Juice—as simple milk; when fermented, it is arrack and toddy, vinegar. Sap—Jaggery sugar. Oil— Anointing in sickness, lamps. "Over a native's couch when born, and over his grave when buried, a bunch of cocoanut blossoms is hung to charm away evil spirits."

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Other products not important for exportation.—Arrowroot, India-rubber, a number of Resins and Gums, Cotton and Silk. Six crops of silk can be produced annually.

Pearl Fisheries.—Ceylon has been famous for its pearls from the earliest time. See three strings of pearls, 316 in number, valued at £1,500. Also the model of Pearl Fishing Boat.

The fisheries occur at irregular intervals, by reason of the excessive mortality amongst young oysters. In 1888 and 1889 it is confidently expected three hundred million oysters will be fished.

Pearl Pishing Boat.—The diver descends with two ropes, one having a heavy stone, the other the net. At the bottom, he throws himself flat, the stone is drawn up, the diver gathers as many oysters as he can in half a minute. A signal is given by the rope which holds the net, the boatman above gives a jerk, and the diver regains the surface.

The value of a pearl depends on its roundness, its brilliancy, and its silky whiteness. Fine pearls sometimes realise from £20 to £200.

Notice also the Chank shells, which are used by the natives of India for ornamental purposes, and, when perforated at one end, sound a loud note of call to temple worship.

Pictures and Photographs.—Miss Gordon Cumming's pictures. Photographs of Veddas on south side.

The Veddas were the early inhabitants of Ceylon.

The Sinhalese of the present day are of the Aryan stock.