Sixteenth
Century for the manufacture of pencils, and at a later date to assist
in working brass, bronze, and iron for statues, &c.; but it has
been hitherto found so sparingly, and the price has been so high, that
it has never been in general use. It might be obtained in large
quantities in the neighbourhood of Kullurta, Godagamuwa, Bullutota and
Komdfugalla.
Tellurium.—The
very rare and valuable metal called tellurium is also to be found in
these vicinities. It has only hitherto been met with in Transylvania
and the Ural mountains; it is ujed for chemical purposes only, and not
long since bore the same price as gold in Europe.
Plumbago or Graphite is
found chiefly in the southern side of Sabara-gamuwa, in the Kukulu
Korale. It is believed to belong to the same formation as the
anthracite, viz., to the upper strata of the Devonian formation. The
principal mine is at Nambapana, and contains a large vein running from
N.. W. to S. E. The ore is pure and crystalline near the basalt, and
compact and massive further from it. I believe that this vein extends
to a distance of forty or fifty miles towards the Bintenna country. The
plumbago of Ceylon is pure and light, and now that a method has been
discovered to purify and to compress it, the value will rise,
especially as it is now required in the new process of smelting ores by
galvanism. For this purpose it might prove a valuable export to South
Australia.
Anthracite may
be found in precisely similar situations with plumbago. Indeed, whilst
the latter is the metallic carbon, the former is a hydrate of carbon.
Just as plumbago is found near the basaltic eruptions, so is anthracite
found. Both contain the same foreign substances, viz., quartz, alumine,
magnesia, titan, chrome, manganese, and iron. It is my opinion that
this substance exists as abundantly as does plumbago. I recommend
exploring the country for it near the Bentota river, half-way between
Galle and Colombo, and I believe that it might be produced for 18s. the
ton, whilst English coal cannot be laid down under 2Ss. It is
recommended to burn half anthracite and half coal, and now that large
quantities of fuel are monthly required by the steamers touching at
Point-de-Galle, this becomes a subject of importance.
Nitre has
long been known to exist in Ceylon, and Davy in his account of the
island describes it and its localities. I think that it exists in
sufficient abundance to form an article of export, and that it would be
good policy on the part of the Executive to encourage any undertaking
of the sort by liberal terms of renting the spots found to contain
nitre. The localities where the production is met with appear to be
very similar to those in Brazil. In Sabaragamuwa there are about sixty
caverns, varying in extent from ioo to 200,000 cubic feet. The
abundance of wood to be found near these spots would appear to favour
the lixiviation of nitre, and, by their being situated within short
distances of water conveyance, the produce could be economically
conveyed to Colombo for purification and shipment.
Kaolin is
met with in great abundance throughout the district, varying in
quantity from small strata to large rocks, and also in all degrees of
purity. TJie cheapness of this article in Europe alone prevents it from
becoming one of great value for export. The best earths yield from 40
to 70 per cent of the pure article. It makes a ware very similar to the
Wedgewood, when well prepared; and a superior kind of tile capable of
receiving all colours might be formed with it, especially as we have
around such abundance of colouring materials for imparting any tint
required. The coloured tiles found in the Moorish palaces in Spain are
of this earth, and they are as fresh now as when made. 'I he vicinity
of anthracite to burn them, and navigable rivers for their conveyance,
are all in favour of the manufacture, which would be infinitely
preferable to the common porous bricks now in use in Ceylon for floors
of dwelling-houses, both as regards appearance and healthiness.
Stratite, or French chalk, is found, but not very pure nor in great abundance.
