and the Hill Temple of Mehentelé. 489 
At the summit of the steps we passed through a porch, and were most 
agreeably surprised to find ourselves in a space of considerable extent, with 
masses of granite intermixed with fine trees rising above us nearly on all 
sides, and the whole over-topped by a large dagoba to our right.* 
The areat which we had thus reached, was planted with coco-nut and 
other trees, under whose shade were several dagobas of small size. In the 
centre was a dagoba of intermediate dimensions in good repair, about 
twenty-seven feet in diameter, and surrounded by a stone-wall, within 
which were fifty-two pillars of granite. These pillars were octagonal with 
capitals, in their general character similar to those at Anarddhepura ; but the 
pillars were only twelve feet in height, of rude workmanship, and without 
any elegance of form. The ornament on some of the capitals was the 
Brahmana duck, with the lotus in its bill. To the westward, was the large 
dagoba, which is said to be a hundred and twenty cubits in height, and to 
be built over a hair which grew out of the forehead of Bupp’xa just above 
the left eye. It is surrounded by a paved terrace, and is approached by 
flights of steps two hundred in number, and by an inclined plane of con- 
siderable extent. The dagoba (its summit I presume) is stated to be a 
* See Plate, No. 20:— Mehentélé. 
+ I made a sketch which will give some idea of this very curious spot. Whilst occupied in 
making it, I was not a little interested by observing the care with which an old man, who had 
taken advantage of our protection to visit the Sacred Temples, gathered the flowers of the tree 
under whose shade I sat. I found that he took especial care that the flowers should not touch 
the ground, as they would thus be defiled, and be rendered unworthy as an offering. I was 
informed that the tree itself is the only one of the kind in the island, and that its flowers are in 
consequence held in great estimation ; but, independently of this cause, the flowers were very 
beautiful ; they were of a rich yellow, and reminded me of the Gum cistus (possibly it is the 
Mahénal, so often mentioned as a favourite offering). 
The old man above alluded to had begged leave to join us at Chilaw. He was a man of some 
importance in his way, and a doctor: we had however little reason to think very highly of his 
skill, as he contented himself, when called in to a ciley who, struck by the landwind, had lost 
the power of speech, and was strongly affected by spasmodic twitches, with simply tying a few 
pieces of white rag round the neck, arms, and ankles of the poor fellow, and after repeating a 
few words, leaving him to his fate. The parade with which his store of charms was produced 
(for of medicine he had none), was not a little amusing: the gravity with which he looked at each, 
and the earnest attention with which he was watched by those who had gathered round, formed 
a very peculiar, and not uninteresting scene. This poor fellow was, however, too seriously ill to 
be left to such treatment alone: recourse was had to laudanum, and with good effect. 
