44 



JOUKNAL, K.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



6. No sword has been discovered : but, judging by what 

 is manifestly a careful drawing of one on a piece of pottery, 

 I may mention that the straight cross-hilt stood out at a 

 right-angle from the hilt, and that the blade was somewhat 

 narrow near it, but much broader at about two- thirds of its 

 length from the hilt, tapering again towards the point. The 

 blade has a very slight upward or backward curve, like a 

 scimitar, but the back is bevelled off straight towards the 

 edge at the point. According to the illustration, the 

 weapon appears to have been a heavy one, capable of deal- 

 ing a severe stroke. The hilt appears to be quite long 

 enough for the sword to be a two-handed one ; but the 

 general proportions rather give the effect of a single-handed 

 sword. In general shape it reminds one forcibly of the 

 short but effective Roman sword. (See illustration.) 



Food. 



By an examination of the numerous bones distributed 

 through the cuttings, it has been ascertained that the people 

 lived largely upon Sambar deer, or "elk," Cervus aristo- 

 telis ; and as these bones are usually blackened and burnt, 

 it may be presumed that the meat was often roasted. Other 

 animals eaten were the axis, or spotted deer, Cervus axis ; 

 buffaloes, which, from the large size of the teeth, seem to 

 have been wild ones ; more rarely wild pigs ; and the large 

 monkey (wandura), Semnopithecus priamus, Blyth, of which 

 last a skull split in two, as though to extract the brain, has 

 been found. The curry-stones and numerous plates show 

 that rice was a staple article of food, as at present ; but 

 even these artificers were evidently to some extent hunters 

 who subsisted partly on the spoils of the chase. Of 

 domestic animals no bones but those of cattle and dogs 

 have been observed. 



Playthings and Toys. 

 It seems strange that any of these should be forthcom- 

 ing after a lapse of 2,000 years, and it may prove a surprise 

 to many to learn that the familiar game of " marbles" was 

 not unknown to the early inhabitants of Ceylon. Yet there 

 is indisputable evidence that they were accustomed to 

 amuse themselves with this and with another game 

 described below. 



