354 Voyage of the Novara. 



these Buddhist temples, in the vicinity of Galle. The edifice 

 is small and insignificant, only the carved woodwork of the 

 door presenting any object of interest as a work of art. In 

 the interior is a gigantic figure of Buddha, carved in wood, 

 and in a reclining position ; it is 20 feet long, and painted 

 yellow and red, with long flaps to the ears, and a lotus flower on 

 the head ; while on the walls around, richly decorated with 

 scrollwork, dragons and lions, part painted, part sculptured, 

 various interesting episodes are represented in the history of 

 Buddhism. Right in front of the figure are placed a number 

 of offerings of the most miscellaneous description, beneath 

 which are flowers and fruits ; a small tin box is also par- 

 ticularly conspicuous, into which every stranger is expected to 



