CEYLON, a large island in the East Indies, which lies between 5° 40' and 10° 30' north latitude; and between 79° and 82° east longitude. It is situated at the entrance of the bay of Bengal, by which it is bounded on the north. On the north-west it is separated from the Coromandel coast by the gulf of Mannar, a narrow strait full of shoals, and impassable by large ships; and is distant about 60 leagues from Cape Comorin, the southern point of the peninsula of India. Its circumference is computed to be about 900 miles; and its length from Point Pedro at the northern extremity to Donderhead at the southern is about 300 miles. Its breadth is very unequal, being in some parts only from 40 to 50 miles, while in others it extends to 60, 70, and even 100. The appearance of the eastern coast is bold and rocky, and a few reefs of rocks run out into the sea on the south-east between Point de Galle and Batacolo. The deep water on the eastern shores admits the approach of the largest vessels in safety; and if that side of the island be the least fertile, its other defects are amply compensated by the harbours of Trincomalee and Batacolo. The north and north-west coast from Point Pedro to Columbo is flat, and everywhere indented with inlets of the sea. The largest of them extends almost quite across the island from Mullipatti to Jafnapatam on the north-west point of the island; and forms the peninsula of Jafnapatam. Several of these inlets form small harbours. The interior of the island abounds with steep and lofty mountains, covered with thick forests, and full of