Explore the island’s hidden riches—from iron ore to precious gems—through a careful, evidence-based survey of Ceylon’s geology and minerals.
This edition presents a concise, readable account of what the land yields, how local people work with what they find, and what might lie ahead as exploration continues.
Drawing on observations and historical notes, the work discusses the distribution of iron in various forms, where it is found, and how natives melt and work the metal. It also inventories gemstones such as amethyst, rose-quartz, cat’s-eye, and prase, detailing their sources in granitic rocks and alluvium, and explains how certain stones are valued for buttons and ornaments. The narrative weighs the island’s mineral wealth against practical limits, suggesting that no major iron beds or extensive foundries have yet been discovered, while noting the possible existence of coal and other metals in less explored regions.
- What minerals exist in Ceylon and where they occur, including iron ore varieties and the blue phosphate of iron.
- Gems and their sources in granitic rocks and alluvium, with notes on amethyst, rose-quartz, and the prized cat’s-eye.
- How the native people extract and use metals, and the practical limits of mining and metallurgy.
- Historical context on exploration, coal rumors, and the potential for future mineral wealth.
Ideal for readers of historical geography and natural science who want a grounded, non‑fiction view of Ceylon’s mineral landscape and its early exploration.