No. 23. — 1881.] SCULPTURES AT HORANA. 



11 



three horned animals occur again on another stone, and are most 

 likely part of a similar composition to that above described. 



Unfortunately the whole of the sculptures are so much weather- 

 worn and defaced, that it is very difficult to make out what some 

 of them are intended to represent, and the details of dress, 

 musical instruments, &c, are scarcely distinguishable. The 

 absence of the stones which would complete the subject is much 

 to be deplored, as well as the lamentable condition of those 

 which remain ; but the latter, even in their present state, are of 

 so much interest, that they should certainly be preserved if 

 possible, and the best means of doing so is to deposit them in 

 the Colombo Museum. 



The ruins at Horana have evidently been used as a quarry for 

 some time past, and I observed that a fine carved stone doorway 

 and other ornamental stones, which must have formed part of 

 some ancient structure, (probably that under notice,) have been 

 built into the walls of a Buddhist Temple, a most unsightly 

 edifice, which has been very recently erected within 50 yards of 

 the ruins. 



