486 Captain Cxapman on the City of Anardjapura 
It has been previously stated that one of the bands or rings is sculptured 
with a representation of the Hansa, or Brdhmana duck, carrying the root 
of the lotus in its bill; and another, with figures of the elephant, the horse, 
the lion,* and the cow. 
The beauty of this stone induced me to make a rough memorandum, 
sufficient to enable me to give some idea of it;+ and as I was inclined to 
attribute the circumstance of the Hansa being introduced, to a popular 
tradition with which I was previously acquainted, that when Bupp’Ha was 
engaged in the contest with the devils, he was not only weak and weary but 
hungry also, and that the Brahmana duck brought him the root of the 
lotus and ministered to his wants, I was thus led to suppose there must be 
some reason for the other figures. This was confirmed on finding the fol- 
lowing passage in the Mahdvansi, which induced me to inquire further. 
In the description of the world, it is said: ‘ This lake is also surrounded 
by six other small lakes. On the four sides of the said great lake are 
four holes: one is formed like a lion’s mouth; one like an elephant’s 
mouth; one like a horse’s mouth; and the other like a bullock’s mouth. 
The streams which pour out of the said holes form the four large rivers 
which run through Dambediva.” I was subsequently gratified by finding 
the following in the Asiatic Researches :t ‘* On the eastern bank of 
Anaudat is the image of a lion’s head; on the southern, that of an ele- 
phant’s head; on the western, that of a horse’s; and on the northern, that 
of a cow’s. And from these four heads are poured forth the streams of 
four rivers ; but the banks of each of these four great rivers abound in that 
species of animal, from the image of whose head, its waters rush out of the 
lake Anaudat. Thus the banks of the south river abound with elephants ; 
of the eastern, with lions; of the northern, with oxen ; and of the western, 
with horses.” And I have lately been confirmed in my supposition by 
finding, in the Journal des Savans for October 1831, p. 604, ‘* Quatre 
* I was led to expect, from finding the lion on this stone, from the frequent allusions which 
are made to that animal, and from the royal race claiming descent from it, that the lion was a 
native of Ceylon; but on inquiry I find that it is not so, and that one was sent as a present 
to the late King of Kandy, who was much disappointed with its size and appearance. In the 
Asiatic Researches, vol. XVI. p- 268, it is said the lion is not a native of Ceylon nor of Burma, 
yet it is found in the sculptures of both countries. 
+ See Plate, No. 17. f{ Vol. vi. p. 231. 
