The
correctness of this observation with respect to Ceylon is borne out by
the appearances presented during the process of washing here, the
residuum, after the separation of the coarser components of the soil
being invariably a black sand with an admixture of minute gems and
spangles of gold.
Having
assisted the sailors in constructing an embarkment for the purpose of
facilitating their operations by obtaining a flow of water at a higher
level than they can at present command,
1 shall await the conclusion of an experiment made under more favourable circumstances to communicate again with Government.
I have, &c,
(Signed) C. P. Layard, Govt. Agent.
No. 124.
Colombo, 15th March, 1854.
Sir,—With
reference to my letter of the 14th instant from Talagama in the
Hapitigam Korle, and finding that the permission granted by me to
certain sailors to dig for gold in anticipation of the authority of
Government would have been inconsistent with His Excellency's minute of
the same date which 1 bad not then seen, I have the satisfaction to
report that that permission was not availed of by the parties to whom
it was granted.
I have, &c,
(Signed) C. V. Layard, Govt. Agent.
Further Report on the Gold Discovery of 1868.
No. 81S. Government Agent's Office, Colombo, iSth Dec, 1S68.
Kir,—In
submitting the accompanying copy of a letter from my Assistant at
Ratnapura, dated the 16th instant, I have the honor to recommend a
compliance with Mr. Home's request to the extent that Government should
procure for him under the provisions of the Ordinance No. 2 of 1863 any
private land which he is nnable by private arrangement to acquire for
the purposes of his research, on his making full payment of its value.
With
respect to the reward to be offered for the discovery of gold in
remunerating quantities, I think that as well as the condition on which
the right of working gold fields should be conceded to Mr. Home and
others in the event of their being found to exist, may be a matter for
after consideration.
I
am of opinion that the exclusive privilege of searching for gold within
a radius of two miles from the point where the traces of the precious
metal have been already found, cannot be reasonably conceded.
I have, &c,
(Signed) C. P. Layard, Govt. Agent. The Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY OF CEYLON. {From Pridham's " Geylon.u)
In
Ceylon there is not that order and succession of rocks to be found as
in England and other parts of Europe. Uniformity of formation is the
distinguishing characteristic of the geological character of the
island, and with but few and partial exceptions, such as at Jaffna and
the contiguous islets, and here and there along the shore about high
water mark, it may be said to consist of primitive rock, and
unconnected with any other class of rock, exclusive of those of very
recent formation.
Another
remarkable geological fact is, that though the varieties of primitive
rock are extremely numerous, and indeed almost infinite, the species
are very
