No. 27. — 1884.] tissamahAeAma akceueology. 91 



These two inscriptions approximately fix the date of the aban- 

 donment of the extensive irrigation channels which are cut 

 from the Wallawe-ganga, near Rambhara Wihara. In the time of 

 Maha Siri Sarigabo, that is, in the 10th century, it is clear that 

 they were in working order ; while in the time of Nissaihka Malla, 

 1187-1196, the place had become, as he says, "like a ruined 

 town." It may be affirmed, almost with certainty, that the de- 

 struction and loss of life due to the severe fighting and its accom- 

 panying cruelties, in Rohana, during the time of Parakrama Bahu 

 I., both before and after he ascended the throne, were the cause of 

 the abandonment of these important and remunerative works ; 

 which, I am glad to add, have now a prospect of taking a place 

 among the most successful restorations in the Island. In other 

 respects this inscription of Nissaihka Malla's is not of much 

 interest, being a repetition of others by the same king. 



Note 3. 



In various countries the lengths of the earliest bricks have, 

 with good reason, been supposed to give the measurement of 

 the early cubit, or length of the forearm and fingers. It will be 

 obvious that by ascertaining the proportions between the cubit 

 and the height we obtain a means of roughly measuring the 

 height of the early brickmakers. In the case of ten villagers of 

 the Hambantota District, the ratio was 1 to 3*622, while their 

 mean height was 5 feet 4 J inches. Multiplying the mean length 

 of the most ancient bricks found at Magama by this ratio, we ob- 

 tain 5 feet 3 inches as a rough approximation to the height of the 

 ancient workmen. 



Note 4. 



King Dutthagamini deposited at each of the four gates of 

 the Ruwanwaeli dagaba 16 lacs of kahapanas, only (Mah., p. 175) ; 

 and the cost of the whole work, including decorations, &c, 

 was 1,000 kotis (p. 195). The cost of the Lohapasada was less 

 than one-thirtieth of this, viz., 30 kotis (p. 195) ; yet we are to 

 believe that at this smaller work 32 lacs of gold coins were 

 deposited as a guarantee that the labourers would receive payment 

 in return for their work ! 



Note 5. 



After proceeding from Tissa, as it may now be correctly 

 termed, to the Northern Province, I have been greatly interested 

 to learn from Mr. Massie, Assistant Government Agent at Vilan- 

 kulam, that nine copper plaques, similar to those unearthed in 

 our cuttings, were met with at Mulleittivu at a great depth 



