52 



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



The most striking, repeated more than once, is the figure of Maha 

 Deva (Siva) , in a halo, dancing on the Daitiya, Tripurasura, whom 

 he slew after a combat lasting ten days. 



Several stone figures of the Hindu pantheon, both in has and 

 alto relievo, were also exhumed. 



All these " finds " have been transferred to the Colombo 

 Museum. 



III. — Sigiriyd. 

 Clearing. 



The whole of the area within Sigiri-nuwara to the west and 

 north of the Rock was re-cleared by village labour in 1907. 



Next season (1908) the enceinte of the city on the east (marked 

 by a high ramp, which has become overgrown with dense impene- 

 trable jungle), and theMapa-gala rocks to the south, will be cleared 

 afresh. 



Restoration and Conservation. 



The exposed ruined brickwork of the " Lion- Staircase-House " 

 (through which the stairway mounts by right-angled turns to 

 the foot of the iron ladders leading to the summit) has been 

 gradually washing away since its excavation owing to the action 

 of water falling on it from the Rock. 



To save the structure early action was necessary. In 1907, 

 accordingly, as a first step, the bulging side walls flanking the 

 stairs and landings were strongly rebuilt plumb. The western 

 slopes of the mound, which are at present very deeply scoured 

 by the fall of the water from above , will be attended to next year 

 (1908), and those on the east in 1909. It is absolutely essential 

 to render the brickwork quite secure everywhere, if ascent to the 

 summit of the Rock is to be kept open. 



Preliminary work was also commenced with the view of divert- 

 ing the water, which at present falls from a fissure in the Rock on 

 to the gallery wall near its north-west end, and is endangering 

 stability. Due protection by an iron and concrete ledging fixed 

 to the Rock above will be given at this point in next season. 



Council. 



Two Members of Council, viz., Dr. J. C. Willis and Mr. E. B. 

 Denham, being by virtue of Rule 16 deemed to have retired by 

 reason of least attendance, the vacancies were filled by the 

 appointment of the Hon. Mr. G. M. Fowler C.M.G., and the Hon. 

 Mr. Justice A. Wood Renton. Dr. Coomaraswamy having re- 

 signed , the vacancy on the Council was filled by the appointment 

 of Mr. P. E. Pieris, M.A., CCS. 



Honorary Officers 



His Excellency Sir H. E. McCallum consented to become 

 Patron of the Society, and the Hon. Mr. Hugh Clifford and the 

 Hon. Sir Joseph T. Hutchinson to be elected Vice-Patrons. 



