Thirteenth in the series of collected works of Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy in the IGNCA’s publication programme, this volume deals with his contribution to the geology and mineralogy of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The material in the volume has been arranged in three sections: the first contains his articles on geology and mineralogy of Ceylon published in scientific journals; the second includes the classic Ceylon administrative reports which he wrote in 1903-6; and the final section is mainly concerned with several comments on Coomaraswamy’s work which highlight his reputation as a mainstream geologist. Coomaraswamy was appointed as the first director of the Mineralogical survey of Ceylon in 1903. During the next four years, he undertook extensive field work studying the contour, nature of the soil and the mineral wealth of the island. The four administrative reports that he issued during 1903-6 are considered to be classic on account of the varied wealth of information contained in them covering a wide range of geological, mineralogical and petrological subjects. His greatest contribution to geology was his discovery of the mineral Thorianite in 1904. It was characteristic of Coomaraswamy’ self-effacement and scientific modesty that instead of immortalising his own name, he preferred to name it Thorianite. In 1906, the university of London conferred on him the much coveted degree of D.Sc.; on his thesis composed of official reports on Ceylonese mineralogy and other scientific papers. Other honours followed: he was elected a fellow of the Geological and Linnean societies of London. It is hoped that this volume on Coomaraswamy’s contribution to the earth sciences, quite different from his undoubted greatness as an exponent of the perennial philosophy, will be of great interest to his innumberable admirers.
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