WEST AND SOUTH COASTS OF CEYLON. 433 



among th^fe ruins; Valentyn mentions fome gold* 

 medals dug up, luppoled to be Roman\. 



FIGURE OF THE COUTT RAJA. 



March 30, 1796. — Near Belligam or VelU-gam, ten 

 miles N. from Matura near the road fide, which pallcs 

 among thick M^oods and plantations, is the figure of the 

 Coutia raja,J fculptured on a rude block of granite, 

 about thirty feet high. Having previous notice of the 

 place, from fome Dutch gentleman at G^//<?, I was brought 

 ther^ at feven in th6 morning. On my way to Maturely 

 and oppofite to this ftone,_ about twenty feet off, is 

 another of nearly the fame fize, and the ground between 

 both is worked away to a hollow, on which it is necci- 

 fary to be placed, to have a full view of this hgure, 

 which is cut out of the (lone in relievo, but the whole 

 is funk in a hollow fcooped out, fo that it is thus de- 

 fended from injury on the fides. The figure may be 

 about fourteen feet high ; the countenance mild ; a full 

 round vifagc; the eyes long, and the nofe round and 

 long: it has no beard; nor the ufual diftinguiilied 

 marks of the Gentoo cads. I have been more paiiticular 

 iti defcribing the features ; as thofe of the C'mgalefe race 

 are very different from the Malabars, and feem well 

 preferved in the ilatues, and figures in their temples. 



* On my return froni Ga//e, in March 1 796, a filver coin was given 

 me at Ca/eiure, part of a number, upwards of three hundred, found 

 twelve years agoi at PaJ/u», a place nine hours journey from Jaffanapa' 

 tnm near the fea coaft, on the road' towards Trinkomallee \ it accompa- 

 nies this paper. 



f If the accompanying Lingam, the only one of thd kind within my 

 obfervation, was really found here, as I am affured it was, there can be 

 little doubt of its bejng a Hindu town. The infcriptions from which 

 the medals were fuppofed to be Roman are doubtful, and it is not im- 

 probable but the letters might be miftaken, though at Ntllore of late 

 years ibme Roman coins were found ; and it is not furprifing to meet 

 the coi.is of a nation which carried its commerce into Indiay on a coaft 

 whofe produftions al.'.'Ays invited the fettlement of foreigaersi The 

 date of this fettfcment leems yet involved in obfcurity. 



f Plate, No. I. 

 Vol. VI. F f He 



