No. 39. — 1889.] a visit to ejtigala. 



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the top of which one comes upon a second group of build- 

 ings called by the natives the " mdligdwa." The highest of 

 these ruins is the smallest and in the best preservation ; it 

 is 28 ft. square, and built to face the points of the compass. 

 The stones of which it is constructed are very massive : 

 we measured one, and found it to be 17 ft. long by 3J ft. 

 broad and 2 ft. in thickness. A very strong water-course 

 (at the time of our visit nearly dry) conducts a stream to 

 the pokuna at the foot of the hill. 



We found that huts had been prepared for us among the 

 lower groups of ruins, and after a breakfast here and a rest 

 we started for the summit. The villagers were evidently 

 much surprised at our going further, and it was difficult to 

 persuade them to accompany us, the hill having a bad 

 reputation for both bears and evil demons. But a guide was 

 necessary, as the path is very slightly defined ; and we 

 eventually succeeded in obtaining a few of the bolder sort 

 to venture among these dangers. 



For nearly half-way up the ascent, mainly through a valley 

 covered with huge boulders and under high forest, was not 

 difficult ; the latter half, however, is very steep, though no- 

 where dangerous ; and we found ourselves at the summit in 

 the evening after about two hours of pretty stiff climbing. 



On a small level space just below the actual top, on the east 

 side, and well protected from the south-west wind, which 

 blew furiously, we found a few sticks, the remains of the 

 surveyor's hut, which we repaired and soon converted into 

 a comfortable shelter with the aid of some talipots. 



The temperature was delightfully cool, and the view from 

 the trigonometrical pile magnificent in every direction, the 

 large tanks of Mineriya, Kalawewa, and the Nuwarawewa at 

 Anuradhapura being plainly made out ; but the wind, which 

 was felt here with terrific force, soon made us beat a retreat 

 to the more pleasant shelter of our camp. The height of the 

 pile is given as 2,506 ft. Round the rock on which it stands 

 are the remains of a solid stone platform. The mountain 

 forms two masses with a valley between, and we found that 



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