140 



SOUTHEEX AXD CEXTRAL PROVIXCES. [Part VIT. 



The indentation in the rock is a natural hollow arti- 

 ficially enlarged, exliibitiug the rude outline of a foot 



about five feet long, and of proportionate breadth ; but 

 it is a test of credulity, too gross even for fanaticism 

 to believe that the footstep is either human or divine. 

 The worship addressed to it consists of offerings, cliietiy 

 flowers of the rhododendron, presented with genuflex- 

 ions, invocations, and shouts of Saadoo !^ The cere- 

 mony concludes by the striking of an ancient bell ^, and 



^ Amen ! 



"^ Bells are mentioned in Ceylon in 

 the second centmy B.C. (see ante, 

 Vol. I. Pt. IV. cb. V. p. 458), so that 

 it is unnecessary to conjecture that 

 the original bell on Adam's Peak 

 may haye l)een a gift from the deyout 

 Buddhists of China. The custom of 

 sticking it has prevailed from time 

 immemorial, and was described by 

 the Portuguese, " los passageros dan 

 golpes." — EoDEiorES De Saa, Behel- 

 lion de Ceylon, Lisbon, 1681, p. 17. 

 For the subjoined plan of the sum- 

 mit,madein 1841, 1 am indebted to Mr. 

 Ferguson, of the Sunojor-General's 

 Department, Colombo. He makes 

 the area of the ten-ace G4 feet by 45. 



a. a. a. Level spare. 



b. The Pagoda. 



c. Belfry. 



d.d.ri. WaW h feet high. 



e. Shed fiT offerings. 



/. House of tlie prie t. 



g. g. The rock. 



i'. The Foot-print. 



o. Opening towards R;itn.npoora. 



n. Opening towards K;inily. 



>n. Opening Co the well. 



5 10 fo ^ 40 



