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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIV. 



part of a stand on which the articles stolen had been deposited, and 

 there was the stand of a lamp or offering vase that had apparently 

 been overlooked, and marks on the ground of the other stands that 

 had been removed. After removing the earth from the walls and 

 corners, some old iron spear-heads were discovered in two of the 

 corners, but the iron was so corroded that on removing the earth the 

 spear-heads fell to pieces, and the fragments only could be secured. 

 A careful examination of the walls was then made, and in the centre 

 of one wall a square niche or opening was discovered. This appeared 

 to be full of earth thrown up by worms or white ants, but on remov- 

 ing the earth carefully with a small katty or knife, two gold figures of 

 Buddha were discovered. In each of the other three walls similar 

 niches were found, and in each niche two figures of Buddha in gold. 

 The gold was very pure and bright, but in one case where the Buddha 

 was seated on a silver throne, the silver had become so oxidized that 

 it crumbled away at the slightest touch, and very little of it could be 

 preserved. Careful search was made in the chamber until it was too 

 dark to work any more, but nothing further was discovered. 



The figures were not solid, but had apparently been moulded of 

 clay and wax, or possibly of wood, but the interior had rotted or 

 decayed away, and the gold cases were now filled with earth very 

 similar to that which surrounded the walls and filled the niches. 



The people were a good deal excited at the sight of the gold images 

 and the rumours of the large amount of treasure that had been taken 

 from the chambers before our arrival were current. I made a few 

 inquiries, and being myself satisfied that I had not recovered all the 

 stolen property, I sent over Mr. Ellis, Justice of the Peace,* who was 

 working in the Wanni hatpattu at Nikaweratiya, some 15 or 16 miles 

 off, in order that he might conduct the inquiry. 



The following notes and sketch were made by Mr. 

 Smither :— 



A 



* Now Inspector-General of Prisons. 



