2 JOURNAL, ll.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. X. 



state, almost ending in a fainting fit, into which he was 

 thrown by the discovery of a really new butterfly ; and 

 though perhaps "stone-hunting" may petrify the heart against 

 such emotional expression, yet the sensation is somewhat akin. 



While carrying out some excavations on the Outer 

 Circular road near the "Stone Canoe" in November last, we 

 had the good fortune to dig up a magnificent stone, nearly 

 square, and weighing some four or five tons, with sunk 

 panelled mouldings to a depth of one and a quarter foot. 

 As the stone had fallen on its face, the delicate lines of 

 moulding proved to be almost as perfect as on the day 

 they were carved. A little further search was rewarded 

 by the discovery of two smaller stones of similar design, 

 which exactly fitted on to either side of the centre piece; 

 and it was then evident that the trio had formed an 

 oblong canopy over some statue, or perhaps over a throne. 

 When the centre piece was first discovered, the square 

 impress of each of the pillars that supported it was plainly 

 visible, as were the notches by which the masons had 

 determined the square where each pillar was to rest. In 

 the centre of one of the longer sides we found what I 

 believe is called by masons " the primary mark," from which 

 all the other measurements are taken. In this case it bore a 

 very fair resemblance to the familiar " broad arrow." The 

 pillars were discovered at some little distance from the 

 canopy, at a depth of about four feet below the surface, and by 

 degrees a series of oblong slabs were turned up, each bearing 

 abold fresco of peculiar design, which ran along, and were 

 keyed into, the upper rim of the canopy. Finally, the site of 

 the building was found about two feet down. The sub- 

 sidence of the ground had displaced some of its pavement 

 stones, but the general shape and the measurements left no 

 doubt of its identity. 



Now came the task of restoring the canopy as nearly as 

 possible to its former condition. The combined weight of the 

 three roof -stones may be put at about fifteen tons ; the pillars 

 were ten feet high. We had no appliances whatsoever but an 



