174 DAL AD A TEMPLE. 



used for boat-building, flower like a rose-colour lilac ; 

 the Iron wood (Mesua ferrea), large tree with scarlet 

 jshoots, etc. 



Having thoroughly enjoyed my visit I walked back 

 to Kandy, during the cooler part of the afternoon, 

 meeting all the beauty of the town and a great 

 many healthy-looking children, which speaks well for 

 the climate ; the latter is said to be excellent, and the 

 town tolerably free from fever. 



Soon after my return, whilst taking down notes, I 

 was disturbed by a great noise, produced by the com- 

 bined instrumentality of a tom-tom, a flute, and a 

 drum, which came from the direction of the temple, 

 calling the people to their evening devotion, and a 

 friend offerinpf to show me the wonderful relic therein 

 preserved, and which is most jealously guarded by the 

 priests, we walked across to the Dalada Maligawa, a 

 large octagonal building, the upper story of which 

 recedes to admit of a gallery, with pillars supporting 

 a conical roof. A solid square stone portico flanked 

 on each side by handsomely carved inner and outer 

 walls of difterent height, gives access to both temple or 

 Dagoba, and monastery or Vihara. The latter consists 

 of three or four buildings to the back, surrounded by 

 gardens and again enclosed by a third and higher wall 

 ■of sim.ilar design as the other two. The whole group 



