us stones would diminish one half in value. Fashion and
scarcity are the standards of value.

When we hear the topaz mentioned, we recall a stone of a pale, golden
hue, which is its most common aspect; but in Ceylon, where it is very
abundant, it is found in every variety of color,--amber, brown, red,
blue, and sometimes having yellow and blue mingled in the same stone,
forming a harlequin gem.

Galle has a large population of Moormen among its residents, who are
generally dealers in gems, or engaged as manufacturing jewelers and
practical lapidaries. As workers in tortoise-shell they have acquired
great facility and exquisite skill. Calamander and sandal woods, ivory
and ebony, are also wrought into delicate forms by these people, who
are excellent cabinet-makers, and who with a few rude tools turn out
very admirable work, imitating any desired model which is furnished
for the purpose with admirable fidelity and beauty.

One of the pleasant excursions from Galle is by a fine road leading
southeast among the undulating hills near the coast. The spot is known
as the Hill of Wackwelle, is surrounded by cocoanut groves, and is
often the resort of picnic parties from the port. A very fair house of
refreshment is kept here, and the view from the elevation is extremely
fine, embracing the valley of the Gindura, which winds its devious
course to the sea near to Galle, irrigating the low-lying rice-fields,
by means of artificial canals, for many miles. The mountain range of
the central district is in full view.

South of Galle, along the shore to Dondra Head, the southern extreme
of the island, the coast is lined with grand cocoanut palms, whose
annual product is truly immense. Near to Belligam, situated on a bay
of the same name, is a statue dedicated to an Indian prince, who is
said to have taught the Singhalese the importance of cultivating this
beautiful and profitable tree. Belligam is a large Singhalese village,
inhabited mostly by fishermen and farmers, numbering perhaps four
thousand souls, among whom are few if any Europeans. A beautiful
feature of the shore in this neighborhood is the numerous river-mouths
which empty into the sea from out the dense cocoanut woods. The bay is
rich in corals and beautiful shells. Belligam was a famous resort of
devout pilgrims in olden times, and there is still an ancient Buddhist
temple here which is much visited by people from afar. In no other
part of the world does the cocoanut