488 Captain Crapuan on the City of Anardjapura 
used as offerings.* This lake is very extensive, and is formed by an artificial 
dam, which in many parts is raised at least thirty feet, is upwards of two 
miles in length, and of great solidity. On descending from this extraordinary 
embankment, our route was through jungle ; in which we saw two or three 
rude mud temples, and abundant traces of elephants, who appeared to be 
masters of the soil. We ultimately arrived at a small lake at the foot of the 
hill of Mehentélé. I have seldom seen any thing more striking: it was 
mid-day ; the lake was stillness itself; flocks of aquatic birds rested upon 
its surface, indifferent to our approach, and apparently not feeling any 
dread of man; here and there a huge buffalo held out its nose with 
inguisitive curiosity, but altered not its position; in the shade was a herd 
of the beautifully spotted deer (the azis), which raised their heads and 
hesitated whether to move or not; splendid jungle of the largest growth 
bounded the lake to our left, and to our right, the hill of Mehentélé crowned 
all, and rose towering above us, in parts completely covered by the densest 
foliage, in others breaking out in huge masses of granite, which looked 
almost ready to fall into the valley beneath. 
After following a jungle path up a portion of the hill, we came to a mag- 
nificent flight of steps of granite, full fifteen feet in breadth, but so low that 
we led our horses up. We then arrived at a path, and ultimately at several 
other flights of steps, containing altogether seven hundred and fifty-two steps. 
Near the summit, we found an inscription cut in the rock, which had been 
smoothed for the purpose, and faced nearly in the direction of Anarad- 
hepura. We made copies of the inscription, and were subsequently informed 
that specimens of it are to be found in other parts of the island, but that 
there is no one at present living in Ceylon who understands it.t 
* In the vicinity of this lake is the dwelling of a chieftain of high rank. The house is one of 
the very few not situated in cities which are tiled, which is a privilege confined to the highest 
rank, It was of a single story, and consisted of a square divided into compartments open in the 
centre, and having several small rooms on each side. In front of these rooms was a terrace raised 
two or three feet, so as to be on a level with the rooms, and protected from the sun by the roof, 
which was prolonged so as to form a verandah; some of the rooms were made use of as 
granaries. There were a great number of attendants. 
+ Roserr Knox mentions “ Ancient writings engraven on rocks, which puzzle all that see 
them.” 
