and the Hill Temple of Mehentélé. 483 
peculiarly deserving of praise, are the construction of tanks and the building 
and repair of dagobas. The number of dagobas which are recorded as 
having been built at different periods is very great ; a very considerable 
number are still to be found in every part of the island: they vary much in 
size, and somewhat in form. Few approaching in magnitude to those at 
Anarddhepura are to be found in other parts of the island, but small dagobas 
are very common. ‘The dagobas of intermediate size, which constitute part 
of the Baudd’ha temples almost without exception, have occasionally a 
form approaching very nearly to that of a bubble, as described in the 
building of Ruanwelli; but in general, and particularly when small, they 
have the form of a bell, and are not without elegance and beauty : they are 
in many cases monuments of kings. A sketch,* for which I am indebted to 
a friend, of the tombs of the kings and queens of Candy, will convey some 
idea of their character. 
The most important of these temples have been described as containing 
datués, or relics of Bupp’Ha, with images and offerings in gold, silver, 
and precious stones: but no attempts have been made to ascertain their 
present contents. It appears from Davy, p. 221 (note), that one, whose 
dimensions are not stated, was opened by Mr. Layarp, and the result of the 
examination was as follows: ‘ In the middle of the ruined dagoba, a small 
square compartment was discovered, lined with brick, paved with coral, and 
containing in the centre a small cylindrical mass of grey granite, covered 
exactly with a rounded cap of the same stone; several smali clay images 
of the hooded snake ; a common earthen lamp, similar to that used by the 
natives at present ; and a small obelisk, or four-sided truncated pyramid, 
solid and composed of cement. The top of the vase, or caranduah, was 
solid; the vase itself hollow: it contained small fragments of bone; bits of 
thin plate gold, in which the bone was probably wrapped ; some small gold 
rings; two or three small pearls, retaining their lustre completely ; beads 
of rock crystal and cornelian ; small fragments of ruby, blue sapphire, and 
zircon, and pieces of glass in the shape of icicles, which were crystalline 
and opaque.” 
Mr. Layarp gave mea small dagoba (about an inch in diameter), made of 
clay, having an inscription on its base, which was found with a great many 
* See Plate, No. 21. 
Vor, Lil: fod) 
