ARTICLES FROM CEYLON’S ONE DEPENDENCY. 173

is a large exhibit of these books by the Ceylon Government,
and some ancient specimens are shown by the learned priest
Sri Dharmarama Terunnanse. The magnificently carved
ivory and silver book covers come from the ancient and
historic temples of Mukirigala, Galkene, and Kahagala, and
were presented to these temples by King Kirti Sri in the
middle of the eighteenth century. A handsome pair of
silver covers, shown by the Ceylon Government, and several
of lacquer. are available for sale.

Articles from the Maldive Islands.
The Maldive Islands are situated in the Indian Ocean due
west of Ceylon, from which the nearest cluster (Ihavandiffuln
atoll) is about 350 miles distant.
These islands are a dependency of the Government of
Ceylon, and the reception of a yearly Embassy from the
Maldive Sultan to the Government of Ceylon is a very ceremonious
 function, the Ambassador presenting the Sultan’s
letter and presents to the Governor, who makes presents in
return. Almost the only other occasion on which official
communications pass between the two Governments is in the
case of a shipwreck on the islands, when the Sultan advises
the Governor of the mishap, and His Excellency replies by
thanking him for his kindness and humanity to the shipwrecked
 crew.
Comparatively little is as yet known about the inhabitants ;
the most complete work published on the subject is the
Report compiled in 1383 by Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S,,
which treats at some length of the past history and present
resources of the group.
The Maldive Islands are of coral growth, and evidently
belong to the same chain of submarine mountains on whieh
the Polyps have built up the Laccadives. They are grouped
together in clusters called atolls, of which there are twenty.
The atoll is formed of a number of islands of different sizes,
joined by reefs which enclose a lagoon of sea water; many
of the islands are themselves merely a ring of coral rock
enclosing a small lagoon. The islands are covered with a
thick jungle, above which tower the cocoanut trees; the
vegetation is very luxuriant, but does not apparently differ
from that found in Southern India and Ceylon. There are
no streams on any of the islands; on most of them fresh
water can be obtained from wells, but the quality differs
very considerably ; on some atolls it is very good, while on
others it is so bad as to be dangerous.
The climate of the Maldives is similar to that of Ceylon
as regards temperature ; the heat is never very oppressive :