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JOURNAL R. A, S, (CEYLON.j 



[Vol. ill. 



The Malm Lohapdsdda, will much disappoint the visitor. It 

 consists simply of a solid square of roughly squared slender 

 pillars, 40 in each row, and rising about 9 feet above the 

 general surface. Each side of the square is 221 feet. There 

 can be little doubt that these pillars were the mere foundations 

 of a huge pyramidal wooden structure, nine stories in height, 

 which must somewhat have resembled the so-called Chinese 

 porcelain towers, and which, when decorated in the Sinhalese 

 fashion, must have formed a very striking, if not a very beautiful 

 object. 



It is impossible for me here to describe the -various antiquities 

 round the station. Perhaps a future paper may be devoted to 

 the subject. 



Some time ago I commenced a large scale plan of the ground 

 around the station, but want of leisure has forced me to abandon 

 the work, 



Mihintale, eight miles east of Anuradhapura, is much resorted 

 to by pilgrims ; for there stands the oldest of the ddgabas, and 

 there the great teacher Mahindo expired, A fine view, stretch- 

 ing probably from sea to sea, and far up to the Matale hills, 

 is obtained from the snmmit. 



At Owkonna, about twenty-six miles south of Mihintale, 

 there is a colossal erect statue of Buddha, about 35 feet 

 in height ; it is cut out of solid rock, to which it remains 

 partially attached. The right hand is raised as in the act of 

 benediction. 



Wijitapura, near Owkonna, has been already mentioned. A 

 siege which it underwent is minutely described in the Maha- 

 wanso ; but on enquiry, I could not ascertain the existence of 

 any walls or other structures, except a small half-ruined 

 dag aba. 



Close to the southern extremity of this district, but just 

 within the limits of Seven Korales, at Seseruwa-kande Vihare, 

 there is a statue of Buddha resembling in size and position 

 that at Owkonna. 



