202 



KAXDY AND PERADEXIA. 



[Part VII. 



Its popular acceptance, notwithstanding this anomalous 

 shape, may probably be accounted for by the familiarity 

 of the Kandyans, under their later kings, with the forms 

 of some of the Hindu deities, amongst whom Vishnu and 

 Kah are occasionally depicted with similarly projecting 

 canines.^ 



The apartment in which it is deposited is in the 

 inmost recess of the Wihara, a small chamber without 

 windows, in wliich the air is stiflingly hot, and heavy 

 with the perfume of flowers. The frames of the doors 

 are inlaid with carved ivory, and on a massive silver 

 table stands the bell-shaped carandua, the shrine, which 

 encloses the relic, encrusted with gems, and festooned 

 with jewelled chains. The outer case contains a munber 



"'"iiWIH.liMi X"" '^-^'^ ^ I' I '/I 



SHRINE OF THF, SACKF.P TOOTH. 



of others, similarly wrought, but diminishing in size, till 

 on removing the inner one a golden lotus is disclosed, 

 ill ihe centre of which reposes the mysterious tooth. 



* See Moor's Hhulu Pantheon, pi. xxviii. L. 



