5G Proceedings of tlie Asiatic Society. [Feb. 



the bottom of the boulders of rock around it. This fact would 

 distinctly indicate that such a structure could not have been used as 

 a residence, as it must have been flooded by each heavy shower of 

 rain. 



5. About a mile to the north of Fraserpett, on the road to Sommar- 

 pett, I found a number of Cromlechs ; but most of them had been 

 tampered with, apparently by the wudders for the sake of the slabs. 

 One was 8-9 feet long by 5 J feet broad, and 3| feet deep. It was within 

 a circle of rough stones of 47 feet in diameter. This is the largest 

 circle I have observed in Coorg. Another was 7J feet long by 5 feet 

 broad, and 4 feet 2 inches deep. Both of these had segmental aper- 

 tures facing due east. 



6. At Ramasawmi Kunne, about 5 miles to the north of Fraserpett, 

 I found a number of these rude structures,and had four of them excavated. 

 In all these Cromlechs I found similar remains of antique pottery, bones, 

 and pieces of iron. Some of the urns are unique and really beauti- 

 ful in shape. Mr. Richter has also photographed* groups of the urns, 

 vases, &c. Lieutenant W. Freeth, Assistant Superintendent of the 

 Revenue Survey in Coorg, has also taken drawings of these vessels, 

 and kindly given a sketch-lithogram of them. In the lithograms, 

 submitted with this memorandum, some of the vessels are those found 

 in the Cromlechs situated beyond the bridge, others those which were 

 found near Ramasawmi Kunne. Some of these deserve special notice. 

 The smaller goglets are composed of beautiful black pottery highly 

 glazed or polished. A large round pot with three small tubes, 

 would clearly indicate, that the process of distillation was known to 

 the original constructors of these mysterious structures, or, that these 

 structures have been used by subsequent and different races. 



The finding of such a vessel, so different in its use from the Cine- 

 rary urns and other vessels generally met with, would again open the 

 question as to whether all such structures were tombs, or whether some 

 vvere used as residences. It can be said that food, &c, might have been 

 placed for the use of the spirits of the dead ; is it, however, possible that 

 a still was supplied to enable such a spirit (perhaps one of a known thirsty 

 soul), to procure a further supply ; but this is to rush into the regions 

 of fanciful imagination, and as aptly said by a late writer on the 

 * Copies of the photo^rains wero also sent. 



