So powerful is the brine that the legs and feet become excoriated after two or three days' employment, and the natives have accordingly a great aversion to the occupation.
Nothing could be easier than gathering the crop by the method proposed.
Boats would paddle along between the rows of stakes, while each stick would be pulled up and the salt disengaged by a single blow; the stick would then be replaced in its position until the following season.
Nevertheless, although so many specimens exist of this accumulation, the method which was adopted by the savage is still followed by the soi-disant civilized man.
In former days, when millions occupied Ceylon, the demand for salt must doubtless have been in proportion, and the lakes which are now so neglected must have been taxed to their utmost resources.

There can be little doubt that the barbarians of those times had some more civilized method of increasing the production than the enlightened race of the present day.
The productive salt lakes are confined entirely to the south of Ceylon.
Lakes and estuaries of sea-water abound all round the island, but these are only commonly salt, and do not yield.

The north and the east coasts are therefore supplied by artificial salt-pans.

These are simple enclosed levels on the beach, into which the sea-water is admitted, and then allowed to evaporate by the heat of the sun.

The salt of course remains at the bottom.