nces and speedily sink to the level of the plain. Detached hills
are rare; the most celebrated of these are Mihintale (anc. _Missiaka_),
which overlooks the sacred city of Anuradhapura, and Sigiri. The latter
is the only example in Ceylon of those solitary acclivities which form
so remarkable a feature in the tableland of the Deccan--which, starting
abruptly from the plain, with scarped and perpendicular sides, are
frequently converted into strongholds accessible only by precipitous
pathways or by steps hewn in the solid rock.

For a long period Adam's Peak was supposed to be the highest mountain in
Ceylon, but actual survey makes it only 7353 ft. above sea-level. This
elevation is chiefly remarkable as the resort of pilgrims from all parts
of the East. The hollow in the lofty rock that crowns the summit is said
by the Brahmans to be the footstep of Siva, by the Buddhists of Buddha,
by the Mahommedans of Adam, whilst the Portuguese Christians were
divided between the conflicting claims of St Thomas and the eunuch of
Candace, queen of Ethiopia. The footstep is covered by a handsome roof,
and is guarded by the priests of a rich monastery half-way up the
mountain, who maintain a shrine on the summit of the peak. The highest
mountains in Ceylon are Pidurutalagala, 8296 ft. in altitude;
Kirigalpota, 7836 ft.; and Totapelakanda, 7746 ft.

The summits of the highest ridges are clothed with verdure, and along
their base, in the beautiful valleys which intersect them in every
direction, the slopes were formerly covered with forests of gigantic and
valuable trees, which, however, have disappeared under the axe of the
planter, who felled and burnt the timber on all the finest slopes at an
elevation of 2000 to 4500 ft., and converted the hillsides into highly
cultivated coffee and afterwards tea estates.

The plain of Nuwara Eliya, the sanatorium of the island, is at an
elevation of 6200 ft., and possesses many of the attributes of an alpine
country. The climate of the Horton plains, at an elevation of 7000 ft.,
is still finer than that of Nuwara Eliya, but they are difficult of
access, and are but little known to Europeans. The town of Kandy, in the
Central Province, formerly the capital of the native sovereigns of the
interior, is situated 1727 ft. above sea-level.

Rivers.

The island, though completely within the influence of oceanic
evaporation, and possessing an elevated tableland of considerable
extent, does not boa