Science in Ceylon

Abstract

A SUPPLEMENT to a recent number of the Ceylon Observer contains the first address of the new Governor of Ceylon, his Excellency the Right Hon. W. H. Gregory. On the opening of the session of the Legislative Council, his Excellency proposes to take a vote of 50,000 rupees for the commencement of a Museum of Natural History and Antiquities. The cost of the building when completed in the rough is to be 80,000 rupees. He says, “the want of a museum in which may be represented the natural history, antiquities, and industrial products of the island has been forcibly urged on me by persons of all classes. For a comparatively small sum, considering the object in view, a museum may be constructed, which shall not be a mere random collection of miscellaneous objects, but a scientific teaching exhibition. To carry out thoroughly our purpose, it will be necessary that the head of the institution should be a person competent from knowledge and scientific training to arrange in proper sequence the various specimens as they come in, to give information to the student, and probably to give lectures occasionally on the different branches of the collections, such as on the principles of classification, the habits, instincts, and economical uses of each class.” The salary of the Director to be appointed is to be a liberal one, in order that a man of high acquirements may be induced to undertake the task. The archæology of the island is to be well represented in the museum, and to contain reproductions of the many ancient inscriptions therein existing in the form of photographs, casts, and hand copies. The collection generally is to be strictly confined to the products of Ceylon. New regulations are to be made for the management of the forests and to prevent the present waste of timber, for the carrying out of which foresters are to be appointed. A hope is expressed that the cultivation of cinchona will be extended. The soil and climate of Ceylon are peculiarly adapted to the growth of this plant, Ceylon samples of bark fetching a higher market price than similar ones from Ootacamund. It is also hoped that the production of tea may be taken up by the planters. Silk may, perhaps, also be added to the productions of the island. The mulberry tree grows quickly and vigorously in Ceylon, the worms are reported hardy and to thrive well; but difficulties arise from the want of patient and skilled hands in the winding of the silk. The dried cocoons would probably have to be sent to Europe to be spun, as they are at present in largely increasing quantities from various parts of the East. Regulations are to be made for the preservation of game, i.e., deer, elk, buffaloes, and pea-fowls, not for the benefit of the sportsmen, but for that of the native population.