WEST AND SOUTH COASTS OF CEYLON. 427 



as the Tamuls^ the TeU'mgas, the Canar'ins^ Mabrattas^ 

 and Oriasy the five families which appear to compofe 

 the body of the original inhabitants of the peninfula, at 

 prefent diftinguifhed by diiierent dialefts, as by diffe- 

 rent features. 



The buildings of the pagodas^ are fquare and exten- 

 five, but have nothing remarl^able, or fuperior in the 

 ftile, to the generality of thofe on the coaft; which 

 they refennble in the fame crouded minute ornaments, 

 the fame fpirest of brick work, with long porches in 

 front, at the entry of which we were only permitted to 

 peep througli a long villa of doors, terminating before 

 the deity of the place, whofe image was placed at the 

 furtheft end of the penetralia of the temple, in too ob- 

 fcure a fituation (though furrounded by lamps burning 

 in day light) and at too great a diilance to afcertain its 

 fliape and figure. At night a number of fmall lamps 

 illuminated the inner recelfes with a good effeft. The 

 fame referve which diftinguifhes the louthern Brahmens 

 in their temples, at Tanjore, Scr'mga?n^ Sec. prevented 

 any communication here. We were told that no la- 

 bour or cultivation is carried on in this facred ifle: fafe 

 embofomed amid ft the waves they live on the contri- 

 butions of the devoiit: feveral of the rajahs and Poli^ 

 gar chiefs of the neighbouring provinces expend large 

 lums on eftablifhments here. The veftibule or build- 

 ing on the eaft front of the pagoda, into which we were 

 permitted to enter, is decorated with the ftatues of one 

 of thefe benefaftors (a chief J of the Tinhelly country;) 

 and his minifters and attendants, (landing in a row oa 

 either fide in their proper drefs : thefe ilatues, though 

 preferving the drefs and ornaments with a minute atten- 

 tion, have little elfe to recommend them, being deficient 

 in fymmetry and proportion ; and the fuperiority of 

 rank is diftinguifhed by the fize, according to the rule 



* Coil, in Tamul. Dewul, in Tellh/ga. The word pagoda is not 

 known in thefe languages. 



t Coverum in Tamul fignifies a fpire. % The Puliiaver. 



which 



