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Klappentext This 1821 account, by a pre-eminent doctor and scholar, details the natural history and culture of early nineteenth-century Ceylon. Zusammenfassung John Davy (1790–1868), an army surgeon, published this work in 1821, based on interviews and observations during a four-year visit. Containing an overview of the island's natural history and the culture of its people, along with an account of Davy's travels, the work offers insights into early nineteenth-century Ceylon. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface; Part I. An Account of the Interior of Ceylon, and of its Inhabitants: 1. Name. Geographical outlines. Rocks. Minerals. Soils. Springs; 2. Monsoons. Rains. Rivers. Temperature. Meteors. Miasmata; 3. Snakes. Experiments on their poison. Ceylon leech; 4. Population. Castes; 5. Subdivisions of the interior. Old form of government. Kandyan court. Its ceremonies and festivals; 6. Laws. Judicial proceedings. Land-tenures; 7. Singalese system of the universe. Boodhoos. Goutama Boodhoo. Priests of Boodhoo. Worship of gods and demons. Doubtful points of the religion of Boodhoo; 8. Singalese language. Literature. Music. Arithmetic. Weights. Measures. Currency. Astrology. Medicine. Painting. Statuary. Architecture. Jewellery. Iron-smelting. Blacksmiths. Saltpetre. Gunpowder. Pottery. Weaving. Agriculture; 9. Domestic habits and manners. Marriage rites. Polygamy. Treatment of children. Ceremony of giving names. Unjust accusations. Funeral rites. Character of the Singalese; 10. Sketch of the history of Ceylon, from the earliest period on record to the present times; Part II. Travels in the Interior of Ceylon: 1. Set out from Colombo, for Adam's Peak. Border-country. Ratnapoora. Approach to Adam's Peak. Palabatula. Ascent of the mountain. Prospect from the summit. Description of the peak. Pilgrims, and their mode of worship. Descent. Miscellaneous remarks on the mountain; 2. Departure form Colombo for Kandy. Avishavellè. Sittawakka. Ruwenwellè. Mode of travelling of the governor. Fort King. Elephant-snare. Amanapoora. Approach to Kandy. Description of Kandy. Excursion into Doombera. Nitre-cave of Memoora. Leave Kandy for Trincomalie. Atgalle Pass. Fort McDowall. Description of country between Nalandé and Mineré. Lake of Mineré. Description of country between Mineré and Kandellé. Lake of Kandellé. Return from Trincomalie to Kandy. Breaking out of rebellion. Tranquility restored. Return to Colombo; 3. Departure from Colombo for Ouva. Description of country between Avisahavellé and Ratnapoora, between Ratnapoora and Balangoddé, and Balangoddé and Kalapahané. The Idalgashena Pass. Velangahena. Himbleatawellé. Badulla. Namina-cooli-kandy. An instance of heroism. Passera. Alipoota. Excursion into the Mahaweddahratté of Ouva and into Welassey. Description of country between Alipoota and Katragam. Katragam. Description of country between Katragam and Gampaha. Nitre-cave near Weleway. Kirriwannagammé. Return to Upper Ouva. Dambawinné. Fort McDonald. Description of country between Fort McDonald and Maturatta. Hints on the improvement of the interior. Nitre-cave in the valley of Maturatta. Hangranketty. Meddawallatené. Koornagalle; 4. Excursion through Upper Boulatgammé into Kotmalé. Pouhalpittyé. Dimbola. Ascent of the mountains between Kotmalé and Upper Ouva. Neuraellyia-pattan. Descent to Fort McDonald. Explanation of some peculiarities of Upper Ouva. Appearance of the country between Fort McDonald and Maturatta. Excursion from Kandy into Matelé. Description of Dambooloo Wiharé. Teldenia. Return to Colombo through the Seven Korles; Part III. Observations on the Effects of the Climate and on the Diseases of Ceylon; Appendix; Index....
