88 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIXL 



ointments and cosmetics, jewellery and other paraphernalia 

 used by the fair sex of the time. 



The seventh chapter (VII.), Kdnulvari, is one of the most 

 interesting parts of the poem to Tamil scholars. It contains 

 the songs said to have been sung by Kovalaii and Madavi at 

 the river side, in various metres, in praise of the king, river 

 Kaveri, the City of Pukar, and on other subjects. The rythm 

 and sweetness of the several songs can only be appreciated 

 by those who are well versed in Tamil, and are certainly 

 not excelled in any other literature. It is here that Kovalan 

 and Madavi quarrel, each believing, but without cause, 

 the other to have been unfaithful, and the final separation 

 takes place. 



In the opening lines of the eighth chapter (VIII.), Venit 

 Kdtai, reference is made to an incident in the physical 

 history of Southern India, which I think is not known to 

 European scholars. The southern boundary of Tamil India 

 thousands of years ago seems to have been a river named 

 Kumari, and in the time of the Pandiyan King Jayamakirtti, 

 alias Nilantarutiruvit Pandiya (the prince in whose reign 

 Tolkdppiyam attained its highest fame), the sea is said to 

 have invaded a large part of South India, and the river 

 Kumari with much land south of it was submerged in the 

 sea which now washes the shores of Cape Comorin. This 

 chapter also mentions four cities, Madura, Urantai, Vanchi, 

 and Pukar, as having been royal residences. It also gives 

 in detail the mode of playing on the musical instruments 

 called the ydl or vinai. 



At the end of this chapter is a stanza, part of which I 

 translate for its quaintness in describing Vasanta, the 

 period when the rule of Kama, the Indian Cupid, was all- 

 powerful : — 



All you lovers who have quarrelled come together in the name of 

 the bodiless, thus sings the Kokilam. 



The ninth chapter (IX.) gives an account of Kannakai's 

 dream foreshadowing the death of her husband, the 



